Altered Signal Propagation Patterns in the Brains of Individuals with Schizophrenia

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and atypical behaviors. It is associated with altered brain dynamics (Georgiadis, et al., 2024; Menon, 2011; Roll, 2021). However, the exact nature of these disruptions remains unknown. We recently identified five fundamental large-scale signal propagation modes that effectively predict future BOLD activity and encompass various dynamic and operational aspects within the brain (Song et al., 2024). Here, we hypothesized that altered signal propagation patterns exist in the SZ brain. We applied this framework to investigate SZ-related brain dynamics, aiming to identify potential novel biomarkers for psychiatric disorders.