Neural mechanisms of eye gaze perception in schizophrenia

项目摘要/摘要 精神分裂症的功能障碍给社会带来了巨大的负担，表现为有限的 对药物治疗的反应。候选人(艾薇·左博士)和其他人之前的研究表明 早期视觉加工和眼睛凝视知觉是两个具有重要功能的认知过程 这些影响，但关于这些赤字的来源以及 这些过程限制了这种知识在设计有效治疗方法方面的有用性。这个K23职业生涯 发展奖提案旨在通过两个广泛目标推进这一领域的研究：1)划定 基于功能磁共振和动态因果模型的深圳凝视知觉缺陷脑网络模型 (DCM)；以及2)为有前途的候选人提供先进的功能磁共振网络技术培训和 翻译研究技能，加速将研究成果转化为创新认知 干预措施。拟议的项目将研究40名SZ参与者和40名健康对照组，并调查凝视 在功能磁共振成像中使用两种心理物理学范式的知觉和视觉整合。行为表现 并将比较SZ和HC的脑激活，以及SZ对定向连接的影响 在凝视知觉中招募的关键大脑区域之间将使用DCM进行识别。具体研究 目的是：1)表征视觉整合和凝视知觉改变的脑激活特征 SZ及其与功能结果的关系；2)表征凝视的脑网络轮廓 在SZ进行加工，并识别凝视知觉缺陷潜在的异常有效连接。这个K23 研究将有助于为未来的干预研究确定治疗目标。左博士是一位临床心理学家。 在行为学和电生理学方面有出版和获得资金的经验 深圳人眼睛凝视知觉的研究。她致力于将她的研究成果转化为创新 认知干预。她将与一个专家团队密切合作，这些专家团队共同提供 多个培训领域：主要导师Stephan Taylor(fMRI，负责进行研究)，Co- 导师Vaibhav Diwadkar(网络分析和DCM)和顾问Scott Peltier(FMRI)，Timothy 约翰逊(贝叶斯生物统计学)，迈克尔·格林(社会认知和功能评估)，索菲亚 Vinogradov(认知培训和干预研究)和Emily Mower教务长(以人为中心 计算)。培训将通过正式课程作业、专门的短期课程、 职业发展计划中描述的研讨会、科学会议和其他培训活动。Dr。 左的短期职业目标是在fMRI网络建模方面掌握一项新技能，并成为一名独立的 翻译神经影像研究人员。她的长期职业目标是发展一项全面的研究和 有效治疗和预防严重和持续性精神疾病的干预计划。建议数 K23奖是实现这些职业目标的关键一步。

Project Summary/Abstract Functional impairment of schizophrenia (SZ) poses a tremendous burden on society and shows limited response to pharmacologic treatments. Previous work by the Candidate (Dr. Ivy Tso) and others suggest that early visual processing and eye gaze perception are two cognitive processes with important functional implications, but unanswered questions about the source of these deficits and dynamic interactions between these processes limit the usefulness of this knowledge to design effective treatment. This K23 Career Development Award proposal aims to advance research in this area through two broad goals: 1) To delineate a brain network model of gaze perception deficits in SZ using functional MRI and dynamic causal modeling (DCM); and 2) To provide a promising candidate with training in advanced fMRI network techniques and translational research skills to accelerate the translation of research findings to innovative cognitive interventions. The proposed project will study 40 SZ participants and 40 health controls, and probe gaze perception and visual integration using two psychophysics paradigms during fMRI. Behavioral performance and brain activation will be compared between SZ and HC, and the effect of SZ on directional connectivity between key brain regions recruited in gaze perception will be identified using DCM. The specific research aims are: 1) To characterize the brain activation profile of altered visual integration and gaze perception in SZ and its relationship to functional outcome; and 2) To characterize the brain network profile of gaze processing in SZ and identify abnormal effective connectivities underlying gaze perception deficits. This K23 research will help define a treatment target for a future intervention study. Dr. Tso is a clinical psychologist with demonstrated experience in publishing and obtaining funding in behavioral and electrophysiological research in eye gaze perception in SZ. She is committed to translating her research findings to innovative cognitive interventions. She will work closely with a team of experts who collectively provide mentorship in a multitude of training domains: Primary Mentor Stephan Taylor (fMRI, responsible conduct of research), Co- mentor Vaibhav Diwadkar (network analyses and DCM), and Consultants Scott Peltier (fMRI), Timothy Johnson (Bayesian biostatistics), Michael Green (social cognition and functional assessment), Sophia Vinogradov (cognitive training and intervention research), and Emily Mower Provost (human-centered computing). Training will be complemented and augmented by formal coursework, specialized short courses, workshops, scientific meetings, and other training activities as described in the Career Development Plan. Dr. Tso’s short-term career goal is to acquire a new skillset in fMRI network modeling and become an independent translational neuroimaging researcher. Her long-term career goal is to develop a comprehensive research and intervention program to effectively treat and prevent severe and persistent mental illnesses. The proposed K23 Award is a crucial step in fulfilling these career goals.