A deficit in the capacity to process auditory information has been proposed as one of the core abnormalities in schizophrenia (Sz). Despite the importance of the subject, we know little about the mechanisms underlying normal or disordered auditory processing, or about the clinical significance of auditory deficits. Research focuses increasingly on the time-frequency brain activity associated with auditory processes, as it's hypothesized that single-trial amplitude and phase measures more closely reflect neural processes. As detailed throughout this K08 proposal, my recent superior temporal gyrus (STG) timefrequency findings build upon and greatly extend findings in this area of research, and present results indicate several clear lines of research where advances in the understanding and treatment of Sz are likely. For the K08 study, using novel tasks developed for this K08 project, functional measures (electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography) of auditory activity throughout the brain will be obtained with 50 controls and 50 patients. There are 3 substantive research goals: (1) determine the nature of auditory abnormalities in Sz by examining multiple nodes in the auditory network and by multiply assessing each processes (encoding vs. gating, amplitude vs. phase-locking), (2) determine whether the abnormal auditory processes can be normalized in patients with Sz by varying attention aI/task-set requirements, and (3) determine the clinical significance of the observed abnormalities. An encoding phase-locking deficit is hypothesized, and it is hypothesized that this abnormality is associated with cognitive problems and increased negative symptoms. K08 training complements K08 research. Primary K08 training goals include: (1) study of several novel distributed source localization methods and advanced time-frequency signal processing techniques in order to examine auditory activity throughout the brain, and (2) classroom work on relevant cellular and molecular biology of the nervous system and the neural processes that underlie emergent oscillatory activity. These methods and data will form the foundation of a R01 that seeks to normalize auditory dysfunction in Sz.

Public Health Relevance

Many individuals with schizophrenia show abnormal brain activity when processing auditory stimuli. We know little about the mechanisms underlying normal or disordered auditory processing. The proposed project uses non-invasive techniques to increase our knowledge of the function of auditory areas in controls and in individuals with schizophrenia. The clinical significance of these abnormalities is also examined.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08MH085100-02
Application #
8073962
Study Section
Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions and Sleep Disorders Study Section (NPAS)
Program Officer
Wynne, Debra K
Project Start
2010-06-18
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-25
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$168,210
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Department
Type
DUNS #
073757627
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
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Edgar, J Christopher; Fisk IV, Charles L; Chen, Yu-Han et al. (2017) By our bootstraps: Comparing methods for measuring auditory 40 Hz steady-state neural activity. Psychophysiology 54:1110-1127
Chen, Yu-Han; Stone-Howell, Breannan; Edgar, J Christopher et al. (2016) Frontal slow-wave activity as a predictor of negative symptoms, cognition and functional capacity in schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 208:160-7
Edgar, J Christopher; Fisk Iv, Charles L; Berman, Jeffrey I et al. (2015) Auditory encoding abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorder suggest delayed development of auditory cortex. Mol Autism 6:69
Edgar, J Christopher; Khan, Sarah Y; Blaskey, Lisa et al. (2015) Neuromagnetic oscillations predict evoked-response latency delays and core language deficits in autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 45:395-405
Edgar, J Christopher; Heiken, Kory; Chen, Yu-Han et al. (2015) Resting-state alpha in autism spectrum disorder and alpha associations with thalamic volume. J Autism Dev Disord 45:795-804
Berman, Jeffrey I; Liu, Song; Bloy, Luke et al. (2015) Alpha-to-gamma phase-amplitude coupling methods and application to autism spectrum disorder. Brain Connect 5:80-90
Edgar, J Christopher; Chen, Yu-Han; Lanza, Matthew et al. (2014) Cortical thickness as a contributor to abnormal oscillations in schizophrenia? Neuroimage Clin 4:122-9
Berman, J I; Lanza, M R; Blaskey, L et al. (2013) High angular resolution diffusion imaging probabilistic tractography of the auditory radiation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 34:1573-8
Berman, Jeffrey I; McDaniel, Jonathan; Liu, Song et al. (2012) Variable bandwidth filtering for improved sensitivity of cross-frequency coupling metrics. Brain Connect 2:155-63

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