The Association of Brain Functional Network Segregation with Working Memory and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Motivation: Empirical findings suggest that negative symptoms of schizophrenia could be improved by cognitive training regime. Goal(s): This study seeks to (1) understand how brain network architecture supporting task performance may be related to negative symptoms and (2) whether better task performance could be linked to differences in intrinsic functional network architecture. Approach: Schizophrenia patients underwent resting state and dual-modality N-back task fMRI scans. Network segregation was summarised using the system segregation index for each network. Results: Functional network segregation during both rest and task was associated with negative symptom severity and task performance. Impact: The current study highlighted the common ground of altered network segregation between negative symptoms and task performance in schizophrenia and encouraged future study on improving negative symptoms and network communication through cognitive training interventions.