Searching human brain for mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. Implications for studies on schizophrenia

Abstract In the past 25 years, research on the human brain has been providing a clear path toward understanding the pathophysiology of psychiatric illnesses. The successes that have been accrued are matched by significant difficulties identifying and controlling a large number of potential confoundi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Schizophrenia research 2015-09, Vol.167 (1), p.91-97
Main Authors: Berretta, Sabina, Heckers, Stephan, Benes, Francine M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain - pathology
Comorbidity
Confounding factors
Diagnosis
Human postmortem
Humans
In vivo imaging
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Mental Disorders - pathology
Psychiatric disorders
Psychiatry
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Summary:Abstract In the past 25 years, research on the human brain has been providing a clear path toward understanding the pathophysiology of psychiatric illnesses. The successes that have been accrued are matched by significant difficulties identifying and controlling a large number of potential confounding variables. By systematically and effectively accounting for unwanted variance in data from imaging and postmortem human brain studies, meaningful and reliable information regarding the pathophysiology of human brain disorders can be obtained. This perspective paper focuses on postmortem investigations to discuss some of the most challenging sources of variance, including diagnosis, comorbidity, substance abuse and pharmacological treatment, which confound investigations of the human brain.
ISSN:0920-9964
1573-2509
DOI:10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.019