A systems neuroscience perspective of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Abstract

Neuroimaging studies have generated a large body of knowledge regarding the neural correlates of schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the initial goal of identifying disease-specific topographical mappings to localized brain regions or to distinct neural networks has not materialized and may be untenable. This contribution will argue that a systems neuroscience approach may prove more fruitful. The supporting evidence presented covers (a) brain structural, functional, and connectivity alterations and their implication for the clinical and cognitive manifestations of SZ and BD, (b) the prevailing system neuroscience models of the 2 disorders, and (c) key hypotheses likely to produce new insights into the mechanisms of underlying psychotic disorders.

Keywords: bipolar disorder; neuroimaging; schizophrenia.

Fig. 1.

System neuroscience framework for psychosis. For ease of visualization, perception is represented by the visual network only; subdivisions within cortical regions are not shown. ACC, anterior cingulate cortex; AMY, amygdala; PAR, parietal cortex; PFC, prefrontal cortex; VC, visual cortex.