In recent years, many studies have shown an association between psychotic disorders and macroscopic brain changes, particularly changes of brain structure, function, perfusion, and metabolism measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). However, psychotic disorders overlap with other psychiatric disorders on the level of both symptoms and macroscopic brain changes, particularly in early disease stages. Therefore, we are still yet to fully understand the macroscopic brain changes that are specific to psychotic disorders. To achieve this, transdiagnostic approaches will be necessary, for example comparisons of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, with affective disorders, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. Investigating changes specific for psychotic disorders may not only improve pathophysiological and mechanistic understanding but also enable imaging-based differential diagnosis already in early disease stages and thereby informing prognostic markers and specific treatment strategies.
In this Research Topic, we aim to examine macroscopic brain changes that are specific to psychotic disorders. In the following, we explain the terms used in the title of this Research Topic: (i) “Psychotic disorders”: this term, as in DSM-5, covers mostly the schizophrenia spectrum and substance-induced psychosis. These disorders affect more than 1% of the population, are often chronic, and comprise debilitating symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairments. (ii) “Macroscopic brain changes”: these are alterations of brain regions or systems in the millimeter/centimeter scale, which are detectable by in-vivo brain imaging. They mediate between microscopic changes and behavioral outcome, e.g., cognitive impairments. (iii) “Specific” = more pronounced in psychotic disorders than in other psychiatric disorders, e.g., bipolar disorder.
We welcome original articles, (systematic) reviews, meta-analyses, and opinion articles.
1. Specific changes across imaging modalities
a. Resting-state fMRI-based, structural MRI, neuromelanin MRI, perfusion MRI
b. Dopamine PET
c. Specificity enhancing of these findings using new technologies like hemodynamic modelling
d. Specific changes compared to common changes across psychiatric disorders
2. Specific cognitive and sensory processing alterations
a. Predictive coding theory as framework for investigating cognitive and sensory processing alterations
b. Sensory and cognitive processing and the link to positive and negative symptoms
c. Cognitive functioning and intervention
3. Specific changes across time and their diagnostic potential
a. Imaging-based markers especially during early psychosis, their potential for differential diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia vs. bipolar disorder), prognostic capabilities and treatment adaptation
In recent years, many studies have shown an association between psychotic disorders and macroscopic brain changes, particularly changes of brain structure, function, perfusion, and metabolism measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). However, psychotic disorders overlap with other psychiatric disorders on the level of both symptoms and macroscopic brain changes, particularly in early disease stages. Therefore, we are still yet to fully understand the macroscopic brain changes that are specific to psychotic disorders. To achieve this, transdiagnostic approaches will be necessary, for example comparisons of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, with affective disorders, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. Investigating changes specific for psychotic disorders may not only improve pathophysiological and mechanistic understanding but also enable imaging-based differential diagnosis already in early disease stages and thereby informing prognostic markers and specific treatment strategies.
In this Research Topic, we aim to examine macroscopic brain changes that are specific to psychotic disorders. In the following, we explain the terms used in the title of this Research Topic: (i) “Psychotic disorders”: this term, as in DSM-5, covers mostly the schizophrenia spectrum and substance-induced psychosis. These disorders affect more than 1% of the population, are often chronic, and comprise debilitating symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive impairments. (ii) “Macroscopic brain changes”: these are alterations of brain regions or systems in the millimeter/centimeter scale, which are detectable by in-vivo brain imaging. They mediate between microscopic changes and behavioral outcome, e.g., cognitive impairments. (iii) “Specific” = more pronounced in psychotic disorders than in other psychiatric disorders, e.g., bipolar disorder.
We welcome original articles, (systematic) reviews, meta-analyses, and opinion articles.
1. Specific changes across imaging modalities
a. Resting-state fMRI-based, structural MRI, neuromelanin MRI, perfusion MRI
b. Dopamine PET
c. Specificity enhancing of these findings using new technologies like hemodynamic modelling
d. Specific changes compared to common changes across psychiatric disorders
2. Specific cognitive and sensory processing alterations
a. Predictive coding theory as framework for investigating cognitive and sensory processing alterations
b. Sensory and cognitive processing and the link to positive and negative symptoms
c. Cognitive functioning and intervention
3. Specific changes across time and their diagnostic potential
a. Imaging-based markers especially during early psychosis, their potential for differential diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia vs. bipolar disorder), prognostic capabilities and treatment adaptation
