Abnormalities in brain chemistry can be responsible for the hallucinations and delusions; thus, by treating these abnormalities, physicians can reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study, investigators aim to examine the characteristics of two investigational radiotracers, [18F]AZAN and [18F]ASEM, in the brains of people with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Radiotracers are drugs in which one or more atoms are labeled with a small amount of radioactivity that allows investigators to see how the drug works in humans using PET and MRI brain imaging techniques.
The purpose of this research is to use specialized brain imaging techniques, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), to learn more about the brain chemistry, e.g., how neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain function in people with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls.