Unraveling cerebellar contributions to schizophrenia spectrum disorders: integrating function, structure, and iron content

The National Institute of Mental Health awarded New York University School of Medicine $100,228 on November 1, 2026, under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242) to support a project examining cerebellar contributions to schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The research uses multimodal neuroimaging techniques—resting-state functional MRI, diffusion MRI, and multi-echo gradient imaging—to investigate how cerebellar abnormalities contribute to cognitive deficits in young adults with early-stage schizophrenia spectrum disorders compared to healthy controls. The work aims to identify biomarkers associated with cerebellar dysfunction that could inform future diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for cognitive impairments that remain largely unresponsive to current interventions.

The fellowship provides advanced training in neuroimaging, data analysis, and clinical applications under the mentorship of Dr. Mariana Lazar, positioning the researcher to develop independent investigator capability in this area.

Performance occurs in New York, New York, with a period of performance through April 5, 2029. The award is classified as a Project Grant, a form of assistance funding through which NIH supports research projects for specified periods not to exceed five years.

Abstract

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are severe, chronic psychiatric conditions that impair cognitive functioning and sensorimotor coordination, affecting approximately 3.5% of the population. While existing treatments primarily address positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments remain largely unresponsive to current interventions. Cognitive deficits, often more debilitating than positive symptoms, serve as significant predictors of long-term disability and diminished quality of life. Consequently, there is an urgent need for new approaches targeting cognitive dysfunction in SSD. Recent studies underscore the cerebellum's involvement in cognitive functions such as attention and memory, which are disrupted in SSD. Traditionally linked to motor control, the cerebellum also plays a crucial role in cognitive processing, emotional regulation, and social behavior. However, its precise contribution to SSD remains poorly understood. This study seeks to bridge this GAP by examining the cerebellum's role in SSD through multimodal neuroimaging techniques, including resting-state functional MRI (rsfmri), diffusion MRI (dmri), and multi-echo gradient (mgre) imaging. The research will compare young adults with early-stage SSD to healthy controls, investigating how cerebellar abnormalities contribute to cognitive deficits and identifying potential biomarkers for early intervention. By focusing on early-stage SSD, this study aims to identify biomarkers associated with cerebellar dysfunction in individuals with schizophrenia, laying the groundwork for future diagnostic tools and targeted treatments. The fellowship will provide advanced training in neuroimaging, data analysis, and clinical applications under the mentorship of DR. Mariana lazar, equipping the researcher with the expertise needed to become an independent investigator in the field. The potential impact of this research is substantial, offering novel insights into the cerebellum's role in early-stage SSD and paving the way for innovative treatments to enhance cognitive outcomes and overall quality of life for individuals affected by the disorder.