Brain imaging to find measurable signs of schizophrenia
Using Neuroimaging to Investigate Mechanism-based Biomarkers of Schizophrenia
This project uses brain scans, blood tests, and mouse models to link increases in brain extracellular water and blood–brain barrier changes with schizophrenia, especially early in the illness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238982 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers will first analyze large sets of existing brain scans, blood biomarker data, and thinking tests from people with schizophrenia to see how extracellular free water relates to inflammation and cognition. Next, they will use a validated transgenic mouse model (Gclm knockout) that shows oxidative stress and MMP-9–driven inflammation to test whether changing MMP-9 activity or oxidative stress alters free water and blood–brain barrier properties. The team combines human imaging and blood findings with controlled animal experiments to connect what is seen on scans to underlying biology. This approach aims to turn an imaging signal (free water) into a clearer biological marker that could guide future tests or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with early-phase or first-episode schizophrenia who can have MRI scans and blood samples taken, or patients whose existing data are included in large research datasets.
Not a fit: People without schizophrenia, those unable to have MRI or blood draws, or those seeking immediate new treatments are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce biological markers that help diagnose early schizophrenia, track disease activity, or suggest new treatment targets.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging studies have reported increased free water in early schizophrenia, but directly linking that signal to MMP-9, blood–brain barrier changes, and causal biology using animal models is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kubicki, Marek — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kubicki, Marek
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.