What brain abnormality is associated with schizophrenia?

Enlarged ventricles are commonly associated with schizophrenia and represent a significant finding in neuroimaging studies of individuals with the disorder. The presence of enlarged ventricles suggests a reduction in nearby brain tissue, indicating that there may be fewer neurons in those areas. This finding is linked to various cognitive and perceptual deficits observed in schizophrenia, as it can reflect a brain structure that is altered in function.

Research has shown that the size of the ventricles can correlate with various symptoms of schizophrenia, such as the severity of cognitive impairment. The enlargement is thought to arise from neurodevelopmental factors that may occur during crucial periods of brain maturation. Hence, the identification of enlarged ventricles provides insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia and reinforces the notion that structural brain changes can be indicative of this serious mental illness.

In contrast, while reduced blood flow, extra cortical layers, and smaller hippocampus can be associated with various neuropsychological conditions, they do not have the same level of consistent evidence linking them to schizophrenia specifically as enlarged ventricles do.