Structural Brain Abnormalities in Youth With Psychosis Spectrum Symptoms

Increased gyrification in schizophrenia and non affective first episode of psychosis

“…disrupted PFC connectivity in FEP. Specifically, Satterthwaite et al (2016) showed altered frontal cortex in youth with psychosis spectrum disorders. Moreover, similarly to schizophrenia, altered structural (Luck et al, 2011;Price et al, 2008) and functional (Alonso-Solís et al, 2012;Argyelan et al, 2015;Fornito et al, 2013;Schmidt et al, 2013) PFC connectivity has also been reported for FEP.…”

30 Years on: How the Neurodevelopmental Hypothesis of Schizophrenia Morphed Into the Developmental Risk Factor Model of Psychosis

“…Thus, Laurens et al, 81 who examined children aged 9-12, suggested using a trilogy of antecedent markers (speech or motor delays; minor psychotic symptoms; and social, behavioural, or emotional problems) to identify those at sufficient risk to merit intervention. The Gur group 82 has shown that youth with minor psychotic symptoms show cognitive deficits, reduced executive activation, exaggerated amygdala threat responsivity, and functional network dysconnectivity. Perhaps, an algorhithm using some combination of these markers may eventually be found to have predictive value in the clinic.…”

The social defeat hypothesis of schizophrenia: issues of measurement and reverse causality

“…Evidence for bibliotherapy is also promising 6 . Furthermore, research has found that guided self-help programs produce better results than "pure" (unguided) self-help, and the effects produced by guided self-help are surprisingly similar to face-to-face psychological treatment 7 . SH1 was designed to be relevant for large segments of adversity-affected populations: it is intended to be transdiagnostic, easily adaptable to different cultures and languages, and both meaningful and safe for people with and without mental disorders.…”

“…Studies of the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, for example, have shown that individuals aged 11 to 21 years who endorse psychotic symptoms (but do not meet the criteria for schizophrenia) are cognitively delayed, have a diminished whole brain grey matter volume, and grey matter volume deficits in frontal, temporal and parietal cortex 7 . It is true that these individuals are more likely to develop schizophrenia than others.…”