AI Reveals Where in the Brain Psychosis is Generated

 

Psychosis

Groundbreaking research is shedding light on the mysteries of the human brain and the complexities of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. According to a recent study published in the prestigious journal Molecular Psychiatry on April 11, a significant step has been taken toward understanding the neurobiological bases of the hallucinations and delusions that characterize these disorders.

The prevailing theory to date suggests that people who experience psychosis suffer from dysfunctions in the brain networks responsible for regulating attention. This leads to false perceptual experiences and beliefs that have no basis in reality. However, understanding the precise details of how these dysfunctions manifest in the brain has long been a challenge for scientists.

The study, led by Professor Kaustubh Supekar of Stanford University School of Medicine, focused on identifying underlying mechanisms involved in psychosis from an early age. To do this, they investigated people with a rare genetic condition called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which carries a high risk of developing psychosis, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric disorders.

Using advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the team was able to examine brain activities in nearly 900 individuals, including those with the aforementioned syndrome and a control sample with no history of psychosis. The results revealed distinctive patterns in brain networks associated with attention and information processing.

According to Dr. Rick Adams, an expert in mental health neuroscience at University College London, one of the highlights of the study was the inclusion of unusual comparison groups, such as people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). and autism. This broad comparison allowed the researchers to confirm that the brain abnormalities identified were specific to psychosis, reinforcing the validity of their findings.

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One of the most significant discoveries was the identification of two key areas in the brain network known as the “saliency network,” which is believed to play a critical role in regulating attention and perception. These areas, the anterior insula, and ventral striatum, showed significant differences in their activity in people with psychosis compared to control groups.

The study results support previous theories about the neurobiological basis of psychosis and suggest new avenues for the development of more effective treatments. Researchers plan to explore interventions targeting these specific areas of the brain, such as brain stimulation, with the goal of preventing or delaying the onset of psychosis in people at genetic risk.

Additionally, this study is expected to spur future research into the role of antipsychotic medications in the treatment of psychosis and how they affect brain activity in these critical regions. These advances have the potential to transform our understanding and approach to psychotic disorders, offering new hope for those facing these mental health challenges.