Researchers are using various brain imaging techniques to study the schizophrenia. PET (positron emission tomography) studies have shown that in some cases, there is unusual brain activity in people with schizophrenia. CAT (computerized axial tomography) scans show that schizophrenic patients are more likely to have subtly abnormal brain structures.

above: PET imaging showing areas of brain activity in twins - one schizophrenic, one not. (image courtesy Dr. Karen Berman, Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, NIMH, NIH)

above, bottom: MRI imaging showing differences in brain ventricle size in twins - one schizophrenic, one not. (image courtesy NIH - Dr. Daniel Weinberger, Clinical Brain Disorders Branch)

Coronal MR scans from a normal comparison subject (left), and chronic schizophrenic (right). Note increase in CSF in right amygdala-hippocampal complex. (image courtesy of Harvard University Schizophrenia Project)