This study focuses on neurodevelopmental, or early-onset schizophrenia (below the age of 18), with the aim of exploring changes in neural connectivity in relation symptoms and deficits in cognitive performance. Examination of neural resting state may provide a simple yet potent method for identifying abnormal connectivity in schizophrenia. Recent work in adults with schizophrenia using fMRI, DTI and EEG has shown that abnormal resting-state networks are involved in changes underlying cognitive processes, as well as positive symptoms of schizophrenia including auditory hallucinations and delusions (Funded by Oxford University Medical School).

Further reading:

Rotarska-Jagiela, A., van de Ven, V., Oertel-Knochel, V., Uhlhaas, P.J., Vogeley, K., and Linden, D.E. (2010) Resting-state functional network correlates of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 117, 21-30