Understanding how thalamus–cortex circuits affect schizophrenia symptoms
Functional and behavioral dissection of higher order thalamocortical circuits in schizophrenia.
Researchers will look at how specific thalamus regions and their connections with the cortex relate to thinking, attention, and behavior in people with schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326846 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will focus on two thalamus regions—the mediodorsal nucleus and the pulvinar—and how their connections with the cortex differ in schizophrenia. Researchers will use brain scans (resting-state and task fMRI), cognitive and behavioral testing, and insights from basic neuroscience to map circuit-level changes. They will determine whether abnormalities are widespread or limited to specific subregions and link those changes to symptoms and cognitive problems. The goal is to build a clearer brain-based picture that could guide future targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults diagnosed with schizophrenia who can travel to a study site for brain imaging and cognitive testing.
Not a fit: People without schizophrenia or those seeking an immediate change in treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from participating in this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify specific brain circuit targets or biomarkers that help guide new therapies for cognitive and attention problems in schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous brain imaging studies have repeatedly found thalamic abnormalities in schizophrenia, but this focused, subdivision-level circuit approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- Princeton University — Princeton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodward, Neil D. — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Woodward, Neil D.
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.