Schizophrenia and Functional Imaging

Abstract Functional imaging comprises several fascinating techniques, such as positron emission tomography, magnetencephalography, or electroencephalography, which allow the visualization of neural responses and their localization in specific parts of the brain. The focus of this chapter is on studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which noninvasively measures brain activity by recording the level of oxygen in the blood. While functional imaging significantly advanced our knowledge about the cerebral basis of cognitive and emotional experiences in general, it is a highly valuable technique to study dysfunctional processes underlying mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. In this chapter, we first provide an overview of methods and challenges of fMRI in schizophrenia research. The main part of the chapter then focuses on two core symptom clusters of schizophrenia—delusions and hallucinations—and their neurofunctional correlates.