Brain functional connectivity in schizophrenia: disrupted network dynamics revealed by fMRI

Abstract

We investigate differences between the dynamic exploration of resting-state functional connectivity (FC) states using fMRI data from 71 schizophrenia (SZ) patients and 74 healthy controls (HCs) by employing the Leading Eigenvector Dynamics Analysis (LEiDA) method to provide potential biomarkers of this disorder. We found a reduced ability of SZ patients to access and remain in a state of global BOLD phase coherence. Functionally meaningful states presented increased occurrence, limiting probability and altered dynamic transitions in SZ patients. These findings expose pronounced differences between SZ patients and HCs - supporting and developing current knowledge regarding disrupted brain dynamics in schizophrenia.