Resting-state neural correlates of schizotypy and its predictive effect on bulimic symptoms

Schizotypy, marked by impairments in cognitive-perceptual functioning, interpersonal difficulties, and disorganization, is a risk factor for the onset of psychotic disorders. Eating disorder symptoms are closely linked with schizotypy, but the underlying mechanism through which schizotypy predicts bulimic symptoms has not been well-defined. The current study included 1,055 participants and used amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) to explore the neural basis of schizotypy. We identified ALFF in the left ACC and left mOFC as key neural markers for cognitive-perceptual and disorganized dimensions, respectively. RSFCs between the left mOFC/striatal subregions and frontal, temporal, and parietal regions served as predictors of bulimic symptoms. Furthermore, all established mediation models indicated that schizotypy mediates the relationship between brain activity/connectivity and bulimic symptoms. Our findings suggest that the cognitive-perceptual and disorganized dimensions of schizotypy are linked with certain resting-state neural correlates in brain regions involved in attention regulation, impulse control, and decision-making. Dysfunction in these areas is further implicated in bulimic symptoms. Based on a large sample of healthy people, this study offers novel insights into the predictive effect of schizotypy on bulimic symptoms from a neuropsychological perspective.