What scan is used to identify which brain areas are most active when a person suffering from schizophrenia?

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

fMRI is a neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. When a brain area is active, it requires more oxygen and glucose, which leads to an increase in blood flow to that area. fMRI can be used to identify which brain areas are most active when a person is performing a specific task or experiencing a particular mental state.

In schizophrenia research, fMRI has been used to identify differences in brain activity between people with schizophrenia and healthy control participants. These studies have found that people with schizophrenia show decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe, and increased activity in the striatum and thalamus. These findings suggest that schizophrenia is associated with abnormal brain connectivity and functioning.

fMRI is a valuable tool for studying schizophrenia because it allows researchers to non-invasively measure brain activity in vivo. This information can help us to better understand the neurobiology of schizophrenia and develop new treatments for this devastating disorder.