Mapping brain networks

  Q10

Are brain networks different in people with a more severe type of schizophrenia?

[Answer]

About one in five people with schizophrenia has a more severe form of the illness, which affects their emotional responses and ability to establish relationships. People with this severe, deficit form of schizophrenia can become socially isolated and have a poor quality of life.

This figure shows brain networks in people with deficit schizophrenia compared to people with non-deficit schizophrenia and without a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Brain networks in the deficit type of schizophrenia are notably different. The networks have more connections and are characterized by hub regions—or large nodes—in brain circuits responsible for processing emotion.

Understanding the brain circuitry underlying these symptoms may lead to new treatments.

  Source: Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, Dr. Anne Wheeler

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