This project used data from the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank to derive subgroups of patients with schizophrenia and/​or schizoaffective disorder based on individual patterns of neuroanatomy, using multivariate pattern classification techniques (e.g., support-vector machine learning applied to structural brain imaging data). We then investigated genetic associations with these subgroups of schizophrenia patients, as well as characterising other clinical, cognitive, and neurobiological features associated with patterns of brain structure in schizophrenia.

This project contributes data to the International Psychiatric Genetics Consortium as well as the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) consortia; collaborative work with these consortia is ongoing.

This project received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (Project Grant APP1051672, 2013 – 2015; Career Development Award APP1061875, 2014 – 2017; Early Career Fellowship APP1073409).

Completed PhD students: Dr Alana Shepherd.