Researchers from the University of Seville, along with teams from Spain, the UK, the USA, and Canada, have made significant strides in understanding psychosis through a groundbreaking study. Published on November 6, 2024, the research highlights crucial anomalies in brain maturation among individuals with psychosis.
By analyzing over 38,000 brain images from healthy individuals and more than 1,200 related to psychosis, the team identified a decrease in gray matter volume in brain regions with elevated neurotransmitter concentrations, such as serotonin and acetylcholine. This innovative normative model based on percentiles allowed for the detection of atypical cortical maturation patterns while accounting for age, sex, and differences in scanning methods.
The findings suggest that throughout the spectrum of psychosis, from onset to chronic cases, brain volumes in gray matter are below expected levels, particularly in clinically diagnosed patients. The study also underscores the neurobiological characteristics overlapping with these structural anomalies, potentially implicating them in the development of the disorder.
This research offers new hope regarding neurobiological factors underlying vulnerability to psychosis and suggests future investigations aimed at developing prevention and treatment strategies for these neurodevelopmental disorders. The researchers are committed to further exploring the structural and neurobiological mechanisms responsible for these vulnerabilities, advancing the search for novel treatment and prevention methods for individuals at risk of developing psychosis.
Additionally, the study discusses promising interventions such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which has shown effectiveness in rapidly treating depression for patients unresponsive to standard treatments. TMS involves applying a magnetic field to specific areas of the brain and has been approved for depression treatment in the UK and the USA.
The research, led by Professor Valerie Voon from the University of Cambridge, emphasizes the potential for TMS to provide quick relief for severe cases, including those at risk of suicide. The treatment demonstrated greater efficacy in patients showing higher connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and the thalamus, which is essential for consciousness and alertness.
As the researchers continue their work, they stress the importance of maintaining a brain-friendly diet and engaging in regular mental exercise to support cognitive health.