[Background and findings of neuroimaging in schizophrenia: an update].

INTRODUCTION

Neuroimaging of psychiatric disorders, especially on schizophrenia, has been increased in the last decade. Different brain imaging techniques have become a useful tool to discover the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

AIMS

To describe scientific and historical background of neuroimaging in psychiatry, and to describe the current structural, functional and neurochemical findings in schizophrenia using brain imaging techniques, and their potential disadvantages.

DEVELOPMENT

This review synthesizes our current knowledge on the neurobiology of psychosis, reviewing studies including structural (magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging), functional (PET and SPECT, functional magnetic resonance imaging) and neurochemical/transmission (neurochemical PET and SPECT, magnetic resonance spectroscopy) neuroimaging techniques on schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairment, structural and functional disturbances, dopaminergic hypothesis, white matter changes, and any other findings, have been reported. Nevertheless, there are still many doubts and discrepancies to solve, regarding to neuroimaging in schizophrenia. Coupling multimodal imaging with genetics and pharmacotherapeutic studies will further assist in understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.