A TMS Study of Cortical Plasticity in Schizophrenia [ 2003 - 2005 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Paul Fitzgerald (Principal investigator)

Brief description The cause of schizophrenia is uncertain. Several lines of evidence implicate abnormalities of functioning in circuits of nerve cells in the outer brain regions. Chemicals involved in these circuits are important for the capacity to learn and process new information and repeated exposure to stimuli. To date, it has been difficult to directly test the function of these circuits in patients with schizophrenia. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in superficial areas of the brain. During a TMS procedure, an electrical current passes through a coil placed close to the scalp. This current induces a magnetic field that stimulates electrical activity in nerves below the coil. TMS methods can be used to study the functioning of nerve cells in the brain and the way in which they respond to repeated stimuli. These methods will be used in this way to study the functioning of these circuits in patients with schizophrenia. This is likely to provide important information as to the function of these brain areas and may provide information that will guide the development of therapeutic interventions.

Funding Amount $AUD 195,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant