Researchers at University College London have identified a link between shrinking gray matter in the brain and the early onset of psychosis. The findings appeared in Molecular Psychiatry.
Early-onset psychosis refers to the emergence of a psychotic disorder before turning 18, a period marked by rapid brain development. The study observed a reduction in gray matter volume across most brain regions, with a pronounced decrease in the left middle cingulate cortex, a region tied to emotion processing, learning, and memory.
The researchers gathered brain scan data from nearly 500 patients across Norway, Spain, Canada, Italy, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and compared them with data from 469 healthy controls.
One author noted that early psychosis can have a severe impact on a person’s life, and although understanding of the condition remains limited, the detailed brain map created by this project could inform future research. It could aid in diagnosis and help track how well treatments are working. The hope is that such a map will serve as a foundation for ongoing study and practical clinical tools in the years ahead.
Researchers envision that this detailed brain mapping could eventually assist clinicians in confirming diagnoses and monitoring treatment responses.
Previous work in the field has explored lifestyle factors and health strategies that may influence the risk and progression of psychotic disorders. This study adds a comprehensive neural perspective to those efforts [Citation: University College London, et al.].