Inhibitory dysfunction is thought to be a core feature of schizophrenia.  Our lab currently is studying frequently observed deficits thought to reflect problems in inhibitory processes at the neuronal level:

1.  Sensory Gating Deficits

People with schizophrenia are often unable to ignore or filter out unimportant information in the environment.  This "sensory gating" deficit may be related to disease pathology.  Although this deficit has been well studied over the last two decades using electroencephalography (EEG), we still do not understand which brain regions are involved in this process.  To determine which parts of the brain are involved, we have developed a measure of sensory gating compatible with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).  Intriguing new results from the first round of this study will be available here in late 2006.

2.  Smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) deficits

SPEM deficits in patients with schizophrenia are one of the most reproducible physiologic abnormalities associated with the disease.  We are using fMRI to understand differences in brain function during pursuit eye movements in patients with schizophrenia.

Interested in participating in research studies at the Schizphrenia Research Center?

Contact Chris Cason, 303-807-7382, Christopher.Cason@uchsc.edu

What are we finding?

Click here for recent publications.