Understanding how brain activity affects self-awareness in schizophrenia
Causal Role of Medial Prefrontal Neural Activity in Self-Agency in Schizophrenia
This study is looking at how people with schizophrenia feel in control of their thoughts and actions, and it aims to understand how the brain works in this area so that new treatments can help improve their sense of control and reduce symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10833495 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how patients with schizophrenia experience self-agency, which is the feeling of being in control of one's thoughts and actions. It aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind these deficits, particularly focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex's role in predicting the outcomes of self-generated actions. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study seeks to develop new treatment strategies that could improve self-agency and reduce psychotic symptoms. Patients will be assessed to understand how their brain activity correlates with their ability to distinguish between self-generated and external information.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience difficulties in self-agency and reality monitoring.
Not a fit: Patients with schizophrenia who do not exhibit deficits in self-agency or those who are not currently symptomatic may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve self-awareness and reduce psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that understanding the neural mechanisms of self-agency can lead to advancements in treatment, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramaniam, Karuna — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Subramaniam, Karuna
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.