Adwaita Mohanty

To what extent does schizophrenia impact brain structure and function?

Started Aug. 28, 2024

Abstract or project description

Schizophrenia profoundly impacts brain structure and function, with neuroimaging studies identifying widespread structural abnormalities. This systematic review evaluates recent findings on key brain regions associated with schizophrenia, including the temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and thalamus, which consistently show reductions in gray and white matter volume. Ventricular enlargement and changes in the basal ganglia and medial temporal lobes are also evident, although findings vary. These structural alterations correspond to functional impairments, such as disruptions in cognitive performance, motor connectivity, and emotional regulation. The review highlights how deficits in brain networks, such as the frontoparietal network, mirror clinical symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive dysfunctions. Functional impairments, such as decreased motor coordination and slowed planning, underscore the link between structural changes and behavioral outcomes. By consolidating data across diverse studies, this review underscores the critical role of brain structure and function in shaping the clinical presentation of schizophrenia and its long-term consequences.