A FUNCTIONAL brain biomarker that could revolutionize psychosis detection has been identified in a new study. Using resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) data, researchers pinpointed dysconnectivity in visual and somatomotor networks as a distinguishing factor between healthy individuals and those with psychosis.
The study involved 105 psychosis patients and 54 healthy controls, analyzing RSFC across visual and somatomotor networks. Results showed hyperconnectivity between the thalamus and sensory networks, combined with reduced connectivity between cortical regions. This unique pattern emerged as a reliable biomarker with an effect size of Hedges’ g = 1.05.
Importantly, this biomarker can be detected in just 5-minute scans and is unaffected by confounding factors like medication status, anxiety, or substance use. Its reliability (ICC = 0.62) and predictive power (AUC = 0.79) make it a promising tool for early diagnosis.
The findings suggest potential integration with standard neurocognitive assessments, enhancing diagnostic accuracy for psychosis and related disorders.
Reference: Keane BP et al. Functional dysconnectivity of visual and somatomotor networks yields a simple and robust biomarker for psychosis. Mol Psychiatr. 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02767-3.
