Exploring how mental imagery affects perceptual abnormalities in individuals at risk for psychosis
Official title: The Role of Mental Imagery in Perceptual Abnormality Formation in Individuals at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11066140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way you imagine things in your mind might affect the way you see and experience the world, especially for people who are at risk of developing psychosis, to help us understand their experiences better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 1F32MH139246-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals identified as being at clinical high-risk for psychosis who experience perceptual abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for psychosis or do not experience perceptual abnormalities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mental imagery influences the formation of perceptual abnormalities, such as hallucinations, in individuals identified as being at clinical high-risk for psychosis. By examining the relationship between mental imagery and predictive coding, the study aims to understand how prior knowledge and expectations shape perceptual experiences. Participants will be assessed to determine how vivid mental imagery may impact their perceptions and beliefs, potentially leading to a better understanding of their experiences. The study will involve a sample of individuals who experience these perceptual abnormalities and those who do not, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms at play.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for individuals at risk for psychosis by enhancing our understanding of how mental imagery contributes to their perceptual experiences.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of mental imagery in perceptual abnormalities has not been extensively studied, related research in non-psychiatric populations suggests promising avenues for understanding these mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pratt, Danielle N — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Pratt, Danielle N
Related research
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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.