MNC Collaborative Project (Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia Study), Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre

Disruption in the integrity of brain networks has been postulated to lie at the foundation of the pathophysiology underlying schizophrenia. The current project brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds to explore the anatomical tractography, resting-state functional connectivity, and task-active effective connectivity of the human brain in states of both health and disease. Twenty individuals with chronic schizophrenia and an equivalent number of healthy controls were recruited for participation from local mental health clinics and the general community, respectively. Participants undertook an initial screening and assessment interview followed by two one-hour MRI scanning sessions. During the scan sessions, two cognitive tasks assessing cognitive control and working memory were performed in conjunction with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisitions, in addition to a period of passive rest (ie. resting state). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a measure of white matter integrity, and anatomical MRI scans were also collected.

Time Period: 2008-2011