Summary: A new study has uncovered a biological link between inflammation and motivational deficits in people with schizophrenia, identifying a promising treatment target for symptoms that current medications fail to address. Higher levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein were associated with reduced activity in brain regions involved in reward and motivation, such as the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
These brain changes were specifically linked to negative symptoms like difficulty initiating work or social relationships, rather than to hallucinations or delusions. The findings lay the groundwork for precision medicine trials targeting inflammation in this subgroup of patients.
Key Facts:
- Inflammation-Motivation Link: High C-reactive protein levels correlate with motivational…