Project Summary

James Christopher Edgar, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, plans to use a novel, non-invasive technique, called magnetoencephalography (MEG), to measure the magnetic components of the brain’s activity to characterize the auditory problems people with schizophrenia experience. Many studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia are unable to filter irrelevant auditory sounds, in a process called abnormal sensory gating. This gating deficit is believed to underlie the hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenics. Much research has examined abnormal gating, cognitive abilities and symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies examining the ability of medications to normalize gating are also common. To date, though, the neural mechanisms of normal and abnormal gating remain unknown. Now, however, Dr. Edgar has used MEG to study the neural mechanisms of gating. He has collected MEG data from more than 50 patients and 50 controls who were administered an auditory gating task. He now will analyze the data to understand how frequencies are related to activity in specific brain regions and plans to devise a model of the mechanisms for normal and abnormal gating. Understanding gating mechanisms could lead to new behavioral and/or psychopharmacological treatments that normalize gating in patients.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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