Resting-state alterations in emotion salience and default-mode network connectivity in atypical trajectories of psychotic-like experiences

Social cognition is commonly altered in people with psychosis. Two main brain networks have been implicated: the default-mode network (DMN), which is associated with socio-cognitive processing, and the salience network (SN) associated with socio-affective processing. Disturbances to the resting-state functional connectivity of these networks have been identified in schizophrenia and high-risk individuals, but there have been no studies in adolescents displaying distinct trajectories of subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). To address this, the present study measured SN and DMN resting-state connectivity in a unique longitudinally followed sample of youth (n = 92) presenting with typical and atypical 4-year PLE trajectories. Compared to the typically developing low PLE control group, the atypical increasing PLE trajectory displayed reduced connectivity between the SN and DMN, increased connectivity between left and right insula, and widespread dysconnectivity from the insula and amygdala. These alterations are similar to those reported in schizophrenia and clinical high-risk samples, suggesting that early detection may be useful for mapping the developmental trajectories of psychotic disorders.