In this talk, I will describe our recent discovery of neurovascular abnormalities in the brains of schizophrenia patients using advanced high field MRI techniques. First, the functional connectivity between the thalamus and the prefrontal cortex decreased significantly in schizophrenia patients compared to matching controls. In contrast, the functional connectivity between the thalamus and the motor/sensory cortex increased significantly in schizophrenia patients compared to matching controls. Second, the microvascular abnormalities underling the functional connectivity changes are evaluated using the inflow-based vascular-space-occupancy (iVASO) MRI method developed by us to measure changes in the volume of small arterial (pial) and arteriolar vessels (CBVa) in the brain. We found significantly decreased CBVa in multiple areas across the whole brain in schizophrenia patients.

Dr. Hua’s research has centered on the development and application of novel MRI technologies for in vivo functional and physiological imaging in the brain. These include the development of human and animal MRI methods to measure functional brain activities, cerebral perfusion and oxygen metabolism at high (3 Tesla) and ultra-high (7 Tesla and above) magnetic fields. He is particularly interested in novel MRI approaches to image small blood and lymphatic vessels in the brain. Collaborating with clinical investigators, these techniques have been applied to detect functional, vascular and metabolic abnormalities in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases.