Fig. 5: Schematic representations of network breakdown stages.

A Schematic representations of deficits spreading from stage 1 to 3 of network breakdown. Circles represent nodes in the network. Lines connecting the circles are edges in the network. Two networks are depicted where deficits (orange circle) spread from one network (left) to the other (right). Orange lines indicate the path of spreading from the initial deficit node in stage 1, followed by the spreading to four additional nodes within the network (left) in stage 2, and eventually affecting node of the other network (right) in stage 3. B Within (upper panel) and between (lower panel) network covariance of the frontal CT network. We interpreted the lower frontal CT network distinctiveness in CHR-T than CHR-NT to reflect stage 1 of the frontal CT’s network breakdown, which is driven by the lower within-network covariance (upper panel). C Within (upper panel) and between (lower panel) network covariance of the frontal SA network. We interpreted the higher frontal SA network distinctiveness in CHR-T than CHR-NT to reflect stage 2 of the frontal SA’s network breakdown, which is driven by the higher within-network covariance (upper panel). In B and C, lower between-network covariance in CHR-NT than controls may reflect the lower mean structural covariance in CHR than controls. Horizontal bars indicate significant group differences (q < 0.05). D Schematic representations of within (upper panel) and between (lower panel) network covariance changes across network breakdown stages. We expect that the stage 1 and 2 of network breakdown are dominated by within-network covariance changes. The between-network covariance increase in stage 3 due to deficit spreading across communities. E A schematic summary of the network breakdown stages. * based on the literature [22]. CHR-T individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis who transited to psychosis later in the follow-up; CHR-NT individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis who did not transit to psychosis later in the follow-up; CT cortical thickness; SA cortical surface area; q FDR corrected p value; FDR false discovery rate.