The Psychosis MRI Shared Data Resource (Psy-ShareD)

Abstract

Neuroimaging research in the field of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders has sought to investigate neuroanatomical markers, relative to healthy control groups. In recent decades, a large number of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have been funded and undertaken, but their small sample sizes and heterogeneous methods have led to inconsistencies across findings. To tackle this, efforts have been made to combine datasets across studies and sites. While notable recent multicentre initiatives and the resulting meta- and mega-analytical outputs have progressed the field, efforts have generally been restricted to MRI scans in one or two illness stages, often overlook patient heterogeneity, and study populations have rarely been globally representative of the diversity of patients who experience psychosis. Furthermore, access to these datasets is often restricted to consortia members who can contribute data, likely from research institutions located in high-income countries. The Psychosis MRI Shared Data Resource (Psy-ShareD) is a new open access structural MRI data sharing partnership that will host pre-existing structural T1-weighted MRI data collected across multiple sites worldwide, including the Global South. MRI T1 data included in Psy-ShareD will be available in image and feature-level formats, having been harmonised using state-of-the-art approaches. All T1 data will be linked to demographic and illness-related (diagnosis, symptoms, medication status) measures, and in a number of datasets, IQ and cognitive data, and medication history will also be available, allowing subgroup and dimensional analyses. Psy-ShareD will be free-to-access for all researchers. Importantly, comprehensive data catalogues, scientific support and training resources will be available to facilitate use by early career researchers and build capacity in the field. We are actively seeking new collaborators to contribute further T1 data. Collaborators will benefit in terms of authorships, as all publications arising from Psy-ShareD will include data contributors as authors.