What brain abnormality is often associated with schizophrenia?

The presence of large ventricles is a notable brain abnormality frequently linked with schizophrenia. Research indicates that individuals diagnosed with this mental health disorder often exhibit an enlargement of the lateral and third ventricles within the brain. This enlargement is thought to reflect a significant loss of surrounding brain tissue, which may correlate with the symptoms experienced in schizophrenia.

The increase in ventricle size could be interpreted as an indicator of underlying neurodevelopmental processes that may play a role in the manifestation of schizophrenia, including factors that affect cognition and affective responses. Thus, the association of large ventricles with schizophrenia serves as an important marker in understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder.