Brain timing and circuit changes in early psychosis
Neurophysiology of Distributed Predictive Timing Systems in Early Psychosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11245796
This project looks at how differences in timing and coordination in the brain affect people with early psychosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11245796 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be asked to complete tasks that test timing, rhythm, and sequence perception while researchers record brain activity with noninvasive neurophysiology methods. The team will compare people with early psychosis or attenuated psychotic symptoms to others to find patterns of circuit activity in cortico‑striatal‑thalamo‑cortical and cerebello‑thalamo‑cortical systems. Their approach builds on prior pilot data showing these measurements are doable and informative. Findings will focus on how shifts in circuit excitability relate to sensory and cognitive coordination problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people experiencing early-stage psychosis or schizophrenia‑spectrum symptoms, including those with attenuated psychotic symptoms who can travel to the research site.
Not a fit: People with unrelated medical conditions or long-standing, severe chronic psychosis who cannot undergo or travel for in-person neurophysiology testing may not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to brain circuits to target with new treatments that improve perception, timing, and related symptoms in early psychosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research and the investigators' pilot data have linked timing/perception problems to these brain circuits, but applying detailed neurophysiology in early psychosis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: COFFMAN, BRIAN A — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: COFFMAN, BRIAN A
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.