Novel Cognitive and Functional Neuroimaging Approaches

A growing body of research suggests that disturbances in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and particular cognitive processes, such as working memory, are present in individuals who suffer from schizophrenia. Further, prior high-risk research suggests that at least some cognitive deficits are present before the onset of the illness and may predict who will develop schizophrenia. However, we cannot yet use this information to predict which specific individuals are risk for developing schizophrenia, and thus are not in a position to develop or apply preventative measures. The purpose of this project is to expand upon prior research by examining brain activity during cognitive processing, using carefully controlled tasks and novel functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods to study individuals at risk for the development of schizophrenia. We will study 40 non-ill (but not yet through the period of risk) siblings of individuals with schizophrenia and 40 control subjects. We will ask everyone to perform several tasks, including one that we think will be particular sensitive to cognitive disturbances that may put people at risk for developing schizophrenia. Also, we will ask everyone to participate in a fMRI session, allowing us to determine how the PFC is working while these individuals perform cognitive tasks. Results from this initial cross-sectional study will provide a starting point for follow-up longitudinal studies to further establish the causal and developmental relationships among PFC dysfunction, cognitive deficits, and symptoms in schizophrenia, and their ability to predict risk for this debilitating disease.

NARSAD Young Investigator’s Award (Barch)