Neural plasticity-relational learning in schizophrenia

描述(申请人提供)：该培训计划将有助于我成为一名独立的临床研究人员。总体目标是专注于精神分裂症患者关系学习和记忆的神经生物学。这一应用的培训部分包括：(1)发展功能磁共振成像(FMRI)的设计、方法和分析方面的专业知识，(2)增强我在磁共振波谱方面的技能，以及(3)提高对精神分裂症的临床诊断、症状评估和治疗的理解。为了实现这些目标，将有(1)磁共振成像物理学、神经化学、学习的细胞基础和认知神经科学的正式课程；(2)与导师/顾问的会议；(4)研讨会和期刊俱乐部；(5)行为评估培训；(6)同时进行的研究研究。这项研究将集中在精神分裂症患者的关系学习上。还没有发表的研究使用功能磁共振成像来表征与精神分裂症志愿者学习相关的神经可塑性。研究计划从一项行为研究开始，以确定(1)精神分裂症患者和正常志愿者在关系学习方面的差异，以及(2)如果给予训练方案，精神分裂症患者是否可以学习关系。初步数据表明，精神分裂症患者的学习方式与正常对照组不同，但如果得到足够的培训，他们可以学习。下一步将使用功能磁共振成像来研究训练前后关系学习背后的神经可塑性。最后，我们将扩展这一步，以比较精神分裂症志愿者学习和不学习的大脑区域显示可塑性的神经化学基础。我们将在该项目的这一阶段使用质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)。将特别强调对海马区的评估。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This training program will facilitate my becoming an independent clinical researcher. The general goal is to focus on the neurobiology of relational learning and memory in schizophrenia. The training components for this application include: (1) developing expertise in the design, methodology, and analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), (2) enhancing my skills in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and (3) gaining an improved understanding of clinical diagnosis, symptom assessment, and treatment of schizophrenia. To achieve these goals, there will be (1) formal coursework in the physics of MR imaging, neurochemistry, cellular basis of learning, and cognitive neuroscience; (2) meetings with mentors/consultants; (4) seminars and journal clubs; (5) behavioral assessments training, and (6) concurrent research studies. The research will center on relational learning in schizophrenia. No published studies have used fMRI to characterize neural plasticity associated with learning in volunteers with schizophrenia. The research plan begins with a behavioral study to determine (1) the differences in relational learning between schizophrenics and normal volunteers, and (2) if schizophrenics can learn relations if given a training regimen. Preliminary data suggest that schizophrenics do not learn in a manner similar to normal controls, but that they can learn if given adequate training. The next step will use fMRI to investigate the neural plasticity underlying relational learning before and after training. Finally, we will extend this step to compare the neurochemistry underlying brain regions showing plasticity in schizophrenic volunteers who learn versus those who do not learn. We will use proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for this phase of the project. Particular emphasis will be placed on hippocampal assessments.