SHANGHAI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Abnormal brain structure during adolescence might foreshadow a higher risk of schizophrenia in adulthood, according to a recent Chinese study.

Scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence of Fudan University have discovered that the abnormal volume of putamen, a subcortical brain area, in adolescents indicates a higher possibility of the development of schizophrenia after adulthood.

The finding was based on a computational analysis of more than 10,000 data samples of imaging genetics from over 20 institutions in six countries including the United States and the United Kingdom.

The results show that the genetic locus associated with abnormal putamen volume in adolescent brain development might also lead to schizophrenia.

The findings help reveal the generative mechanism of schizophrenia. It also provides new ideas for preemptive intervention before the onset of clinical symptoms.

The study was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.