Neuroimaging investigation in psychiatry

Recently, neuroscience approach has revealed new findings in the mental disorder of schizophrenia, now clearly established as a brain disease, and affecting 1% of the world population. Its onset from 18-25 years cripples people in the most productive period of their lives with positive symptoms (thought disorder, delusions, hallucinations) and negative symptoms (poor social relationships and self care). In this article, the author has overviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with schizophrenia. Recent MRI studies show it is characterized in MRI by loss of brain gray matter (neuropil, not cells), some of which occurs before full symptom onset and some of which progresses in the 1-2 years after onset. This is most prominent in some neocortical regions and is associated with worsening of symptoms. To understand the pathophysiologic basis, neuroscience efforts and collaborations between neurologists and psychiatrists will be important.