In this study, a summary of the main functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) findings in the field of schizophrenia will be given in order to get a better understanding of this disorder.

The authors conducted an extensive literature review on fMRI and schizophrenia, using PubMed, the internet in general, and research contacts in order to avoid important literature to be left out.

In general, fMRI research on schizophrenia has demonstrated widespread deficits affecting a range of cognitive functions distributed throughout the brain. In addition, schizophrenia is associated with frontal and temporal brain dysfunction (e.g., Van den Noort & Bosch, 2008). This dysfunction is thought to be irreversible, or even worsen over time; even when optimal treatment is given (Lund et al., 2002). However, it is important to note that there is a degree of inconsistency in reported findings, and a pattern of brain dysfunction that would serve as a biological trait marker or predict treatment response has not emerged to date (e.g., Van den Noort & Bosch, 2008).

In this study, it was found that patients with schizophrenia show widespread deficits affecting a range of cognitive functions distributed throughout the brain, but there is a degree of inconsistency in reported findings. Although the development of fMRI has provided the technological advance necessary to examine schizophrenia; the scientific challenge will be to incorporate this technique appropriately through prudent experimental design (e.g., Honey & Bullmore, 2002).