PhD Conferral Mr. Stijn M.A. Michielse, MSc.

Keywords: Psychotic disorder, white matter, brain

"Road work ahead; cerebral pathways mediating Psychological mechanisms underlying the psychosis spectrum”

Research on white matter connections in the brain (the white, fatty fibres responsible for the transfer of signals) using MRI technology can improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying psychotic disorders. It is important to examine the entire spectrum, from sub-clinical psychotic experiences to patients with diagnosed schizophrenia. This dissertation examined the link between white matter abnormalities and psychotic symptoms. The results show a disturbance in brain fibre orientation in patients and to some extent in their siblings as well. In young adults, these white matter abnormalities are not related to sub-clinical psychotic experiences.