The overall aims of this proposed Research Career Award (K02) are to provide time for the PI to: (1) engage in an interdisciplinary, multi-site program of research on the psychophysiology of schizophrenia and (2) gain additional knowledge and skills in order to better integrate cognitive science, clinical science and neuroscience. More specifically, electrodermal activity and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle eyeblink reflex will be measured in four sets of research projects at three different sites to test predictions derived from a vulnerability-stress model of schizophrenia. The first project investigates whether changes in electrodermal activity can help in the prediction of symptomatic exacerbation/relapse in schizophrenia patients. The second project examines whether schizophrenia PPI deficits are due to dysfunctions in automatic processes, controlled processes, or both. The third project tests whether PPI impairments demonstrated in both passive and attentionally active paradigms also occur in unaffected siblings of schizophrenia patients. The fourth project explores whether abnormalities in brain structures are related to electrodermal and PPI anomalies in schizophrenia patients and schizotypal individuals. In addition to these four research projects, the K02 will permit the PI to receive formal and informal training in techniques and principles of clinical science and neuroscience.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
5K02MH001086-08
Application #
6185274
Study Section
Clinical Psychopathology Review Committee (CPP)
Program Officer
Heinssen, Robert K
Project Start
1993-06-01
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
2000-06-01
Budget End
2001-05-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$106,515
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041544081
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90089
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Oray, Serkan; Lu, Zhong-Lin; Dawson, Michael E (2002) Modification of sudden onset auditory ERP by involuntary attention to visual stimuli. Int J Psychophysiol 43:213-24
Medina, A M; Mejia, V Y; Schell, A M et al. (2001) Startle reactivity and PTSD symptoms in a community sample of women. Psychiatry Res 101:157-69
Hazlett, E A; Dawson, M E; Schell, A M et al. (2001) Attentional stages of information processing during a continuous performance test: a startle modification analysis. Psychophysiology 38:669-77

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