Event: Schizophrenia Neurophysiology Colloquium

Presenter: Milena Korostenskaja, Ph.D., Clinical Research Scientist and Head of Functional Brain Mapping and Brain Computer Interface Lab Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Center for Pediatric Research Walt Disney Pavilion Florida Hospital for Children

Title: Neurochemical regulation of auditory information processing studied with EEG/MEG: Application to schizophrenia

Abstract: Cognitive impairments of attention, memory and executive functions are a fundamental feature of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The neurophysiological and neurochemical changes in the auditory cortex are shown to underlie cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia. The functional state of the neural substrate of auditory information processing could be objectively and non-invasively probed with auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related fields (ERFs). During the lecture, we will discuss the neurochemical effect on the neural origins of auditory information processing in relation to schizophrenia. We will explore possibilities of using ERPs/ERFs to determine how neural substrates of auditory information processing are modulated (1) by antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia spectrum patients and (2) by neuropharmacological challenges in healthy human subjects.

Learning objectives:
At the conclusion of the lecture, the participants will recognize:
(1) Possibilities of using electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) techniques to study neural origins of cognitive function in schizophrenia;
(2) The effect of antipsychotic medication on ERPs and ERFs in schizophrenia patients; and
(3) The role of neurochemical challenge studies in investigation of auditory information processing.