Darius is a neurobiological researcher who uses modern imaging technology to study the brains of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Of the following, the most common structural abnormality he sees in these brains is:

BIGGER THAN NORMAL VENTRICLES.

The most structural abnormality Darius the neurological researcher sees in the brains of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia is enlarged ventricles (bigger than normal ventricles of the brain).

Schizophrenia is a chronic and degenerative mental disorder(originates in the brain).

It is characterised by impaired contact with reality,lack of motivation,trouble with thinking and behavior which has a gross negative effect in activities of daily living, hallucinations and delusions.

Explanation: Certain changes occurs in the brain in schizophrenia (schizophrenic attack) and one of the common changes is enlargement of the ventricles in the brain.

This enlargement in the ventricles of the brain is due to the reduction in the volume of the thalamus of the brain as well as reduction in the striatum and the superior temporal cortex of the brain.

The reduction in the volume of these brain structures results in the shrinking of the thalamus,there is also significant shrinkage of the medial nuclei, adjacent striatum and the insular cortex all found in the brain.

All these contribute grossly to the enlargement of the ventricles of the brain which is associated with schizophrenia.