Researchers investigated the impact of schizophrenia (SZ) on social functioning by analyzing brain activity in SZ patients compared to healthy controls. Using MRI scans of 60 individuals, researchers focused on the brain’s reward and emotional salience networks. Findings show SZ patients have increased brain activity in areas like the caudate and putamen, and decreased activity in the insula, with reduced connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala. These changes suggest a link between SZ and altered brain functions related to social interaction.

Reference: Wu Y, Wang H, Li C, et al. Deficits in Key Brain Network for Social Interaction in Individuals with Schizophrenia. Brain Sciences. 2023; 13(10):1403. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13101403