The aim of this project is to investigate the role of brain event-related potentials attention, and information processing and their interrelationships in the etiology- pathology, and prognosis of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Major emphasis is on the diagnostic specificity of disorders of attention and cognition and the identification of the specific aspects or stages of information processing underlying observed decrements in performance. Concurrently recorded brain event-related potentials and performance on cognitive tasks are used to differentiate patterns of dysfunction in attentive mechanisms in subjects with diagnoses of seasonal affective disorder, schizophrenia seizures, eating disorders, dyslexia, closed head injury, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Tourette's disorder. A related objective of this project is to differentiate state versus trait attributes of these disorders to increase understanding of their etiologies. Brain event-related potentials are also used to investigate the role of altered neurochemical mechanisms by comparing drug-induced electrophysiological and behavioral effects with those seen in the various disorders. Correlations between brain event-- related potentials and neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging) data are used to study the relationship between indices of information processing and the volume of brain regions implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Psychological correlates are investigated by relating the data to extensive neuropsychological, psychiatric, and personality measures as well as to performance on behavioral tasks.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01MH000509-08
Application #
3880850
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
U.S. National Institute of Mental Health
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Duncan, Connie C; Kosmidis, Mary H; Mirsky, Allan F (2005) Closed head injury-related information processing deficits: an event-related potential analysis. Int J Psychophysiol 58:133-57
Duncan, Connie C; Kosmidis, Mary H; Mirsky, Allan F (2003) Event-related potential assessment of information processing after closed head injury. Psychophysiology 40:45-59