Magnetoencephalography in Psychosis Program

This research involves the examination of speech, thinking patterns and symptoms and recordings from brain's activity in patients with schizophrenia. The reserchers are investigating if the electrical waves (recorded indirectly using the resulting magnetic field around our head) are disrupted in psychosis, especially in the language related problems seen in this disorder. To examine language, participants will be asked to complete a speech tasks using the DISCOURSE speech elicitation script in which they will be requested to share their thoughts. For this purpose, the participants will be shown some pictures and asked to describe what they see, discuss a significant event from their life and tell a story in their own words. The description of the pictures and other responses to the tasks will be audio-recorded for later transcription into a written format. The researches will examine the brain regions using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MEG and MRI are both non-invasive functional brain imaging technologies. MRI collects structural information and creates images of the brain while MEG collects magnetic activity from neurons, visualized as brain waves. The MRI machine uses a large magnet to help create images while MEG captures the fluctuations in the small magnetic fields resulting from brain's activity. Participants will also undergo a clinical and neurocognitive assessments. This project design involves 50 individuals who will take part in the study; 25 affected and 25 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 50 years.