A continuous order-parameter gradient across neuropsychiatric conditions: empirical validation of the Cortical Informational Field Theory nosological axis

The Cortical Informational Field Theory (CIFT) predicts a specific ordering of neuropsychiatric conditions along a continuous bifurcation parameter axis (λ_eff), from supercritical hypersynchronous states (ADHD) through the critical point (NT) to subcritical hyposynchronous states (Schizophrenia). We tested this prediction in resting-state fMRI data from four independent datasets (ABIDE I+II, ADHD-200, UCLA CNP ds000030, TCP ds005237; total n=1,442; 7 diagnostic conditions). The empirical ordering replicated the theoretically predicted ranking with near-perfect fidelity (Spearman ρ=0.964, p=0.0005), using a pre-specified theoretical order derived from CIFT prior to data analysis. Individual group comparisons did not survive FDR correction, consistent with expected power for d≈0.2–0.4. These results provide preliminary evidence that λ_eff captures a continuous neurobiological dimension orthogonal to DSM-5 categories. Includes interactive 3D visualization of the nosological space. v4 (Jun 17, 2026): Bipolar disorder direct ΔC1/ΔR coordinates added (ΔC1=−0.009, ΔR=−0.004, n=49, UCLA CNP ds000030); site noise floor empirically quantified via Ctrl_Peking (n=46); Stjepovic nosological plane updated to v8 (n≈1750, 14 phenotypes); §4.3 and §4.5 expanded.