The purpose of this study is to determine if either active memory or inhibition is a causal neurocognitive mechanism of formal thought disorder (FTD). Even though FTD has been considered an important symptom of schizophrenia since the formation of the schizophrenia concept (Andreasen, 1979; Bleuler, 1911/1950; Kraepelin, 1919/1971), it has been often noted that progress in understanding the causes of FTD has been slow (Maher, 1991; Rochester and Martin, 1979). We propose that much of the previous theory and research of FTD has been consistent in implicating two potential causal mechanisms of FTD: active memory and inhibition. However, previous research has confounded their measurement. This project will separately measure and manipulate active memory and inhibition. Two parts of the project will provide converging evidence about which of these two processes are causal mechanisms of FTD. In the first part, we will determine whether active memory or inhibition is associated with FTD in people with schizophrenia. In the second part of the project, active memory and inhibition will be directly manipulated in an analogue study to determine which process could be a causal mechanism of FTD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31MH012166-01A1
Application #
2862207
Study Section
Clinical Psychopathology Review Committee (CPP)
Program Officer
Goldschmidts, Walter L
Project Start
1999-04-14
Project End
Budget Start
1999-04-14
Budget End
2000-04-13
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041544081
City
Champaign
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
61820
Kerns, John G; Berenbaum, Howard (2003) The relationship between formal thought disorder and executive functioning component processes. J Abnorm Psychol 112:339-52
Kerns, John G; Berenbaum, Howard (2002) Cognitive impairments associated with formal thought disorder in people with schizophrenia. J Abnorm Psychol 111:211-24
Kerns, J G; Berenbaum, H (2000) Aberrant semantic and affective processing in people at risk for psychosis. J Abnorm Psychol 109:728-32