Our research examines neurocognitive, emotional, and interpersonal processes during the early or prodromal phase, initial course, and chronic phase of schizophrenia. Although there is substantial evidence of genetic liability or risk for schizophrenia, determining the genetic basis for the disorder has proved to be elusive. Along with other investigators, we are attempting to identify neurocognitive and affective abnormalities that reflect central and autonomic nervous system dysfunction which, in turn, may indicate vulnerability or genetic risk for schizophrenia. In addition to identifying vulnerability or risk factors, we are studying the contribution of stress and emotional reactivity to the expression and course of schizophrenia. Our goal is to identify processes that lead from vulnerability for the illness to an episode of schizophrenia. The methods that we use include 128-channel dense array recordings to examine event-related brain potential (ERP) and EEG activity, psychophysiological measures of heart rate activity, electrodermal activity, the startle eye blink reflex and the post auricular reflex, measures of neuroendocrine response as well as interview and behavioral measures of clinical symptoms, life stress, and coping.
Department of Psychology, 3257 Franz Hall,
University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles CA 90095-1563
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
Last updated: November 12, 2013