What an archaeological dig can tell us about macro- and microcircuitry in brains of schizophrenia subjects.

This commentary on recent postmortem investigations suggests that schizophrenia may involve alterations of corticothalamic and temporolimbic regions of the brain. Although studies of this type are beginning to provide unique insights into the underlying pathophysiology of this disorder, all such investigations are generally hampered by the inability to differentiate between primary and secondary changes within complex macro- and microcircuitry. To overcome this basic epistomological problem, it will be necessary to develop novel strategies for determining how the communication between and within these various brain regions is decompensating, and later, compensating at different stages of the life cycle in schizophrenia.