Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) Evidence for Novel Metaphor Processing Among Schizophrenic Patients
Primary Purpose
Schizophrenia, Novel Metaphor
Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Israel
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Magnetoencephalograph (MEG)
Sponsored by
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Schizophrenia focused on measuring Schizophrenia, Novel metaphor
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Schizophrenic patients according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
- Hebrew native speakers
Exclusion Criteria:
- Language disabilities
- Left handed
- Reading disabilities
- Brain damage
- Impaired intelligence
- Metal implants
Sites / Locations
- shalvata MHC
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm Type
Experimental
Experimental
Arm Label
Schizophrenia
Control
Arm Description
Schizophrenic patients
Neurotypical subjects
Outcomes
Primary Outcome Measures
Amplitude power and source location of the magnetic brain activity
Magnetic brain activity which was recorded during the experimental task, will be cleaned from artifacts, averaged over participants and then the amplitude power of each condition in each group will be calculated for different time windows. In a subsequent analysis, the source location of the activity will be calculated using Beamforming techniques.
Secondary Outcome Measures
Full Information
NCT ID
NCT01325363
First Posted
March 27, 2011
Last Updated
March 7, 2012
Sponsor
Shalvata Mental Health Center
1. Study Identification
Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01325363
Brief Title
Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) Evidence for Novel Metaphor Processing Among Schizophrenic Patients
Official Title
Novel Metaphor Processing Among Schizophrenic Patients - Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) Evidence
Study Type
Interventional
2. Study Status
Record Verification Date
March 2012
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
April 2011 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
December 2011 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
December 2011 (Actual)
3. Sponsor/Collaborators
Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Shalvata Mental Health Center
4. Oversight
Data Monitoring Committee
Yes
5. Study Description
Brief Summary
The aim of this research is to investigate the neurolinguistic mechanisms underlying thought disorders among schizophrenic patients. In particular, it will investigate the neurolinguistic basis for loose association - a phenomena which this population is characterized by. Several researchers have previously suggested that loose associations among schizophrenic patients relate to a lack of inhibition in the automatic spread of activation mechanisms within semantic networks (e.g., Soriano, Jimenez, Roman, & Bajo, 2008). This research focuses on the relationship between I. the left-right hemisphere dynamic and II. semantic processing, among schizophrenic patients. The research follows Jung-Beeman's (2005) model which relates semantic associations, activation and inhibition processes to the functioning of the two cerebral hemispheres.
Previous research suggests that, when compared to the neurotypical population, people with schizophrenia show a less defined - or even reversed - hemispheric lateralization pattern for semantic processing. This is linked to an impairment in language function in the left hemisphere, and to a language functions shift from left to right hemisphere (e.g., Crow, 1997). The investigators assume that this unique lateralization pattern may cause a change in balance in the semantic activation and inhibition system among schizophrenic patients.
As stated, one of the linguistic models that predicts how reduced left hemisphere dominancy will influence linguistic functioning is Jung-Beeman's (2005) bilateral model for language understanding. According to this model, the left hemisphere specializes in precise and fine semantic processing, while the right hemisphere specializes in coarse and abstract semantic processing. Building upon this distinction, our assumption is that schizophrenic patients experience a difficulty in fine semantic processing which is caused by functional impairment in the left hemisphere. It is our further assumption that coarse semantic processing - located in the right hemisphere - is relatively unimpaired. This change in the balance between the two processes may have direct implications on the associative semantic network among schizophrenic patients.
In order to test this hypothesis, the current research will make use of a specific language expression type which involves fine and coarse semantic processing, and for which there is evidence for crucial right hemisphere involvement: novel metaphor processing. 10-20 adult schizophrenic patients will be presented with four different types of two word expressions: literal; conventional metaphor; novel metaphor and unrelated. The patients will have to decide as quickly and accurately as possible if the expression is meaningful or meaningless while their brain activity is recorded by a Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) device (which combines a high temporal resolution with the ability to localize the activity).
Therefore, our main hypothesis is that schizophrenic patients will show a bilateral brain activity pattern when conducting semantic decisions, and that this pattern will be related to improved reaction times and accuracy when presented with novel metaphors than when presented with other types of expressions.
6. Conditions and Keywords
Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Schizophrenia, Novel Metaphor
Keywords
Schizophrenia, Novel metaphor
7. Study Design
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Enrollment
30 (Actual)
8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions
Arm Title
Schizophrenia
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Schizophrenic patients
Arm Title
Control
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Neurotypical subjects
Intervention Type
Device
Intervention Name(s)
Magnetoencephalograph (MEG)
Other Intervention Name(s)
MAGNES STIMULUS, 4-D NEUROIMAGING, 9727 Pacific heights blvd., San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
Intervention Description
Brain imaging device that records the magnetic fields in the brain.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Amplitude power and source location of the magnetic brain activity
Description
Magnetic brain activity which was recorded during the experimental task, will be cleaned from artifacts, averaged over participants and then the amplitude power of each condition in each group will be calculated for different time windows. In a subsequent analysis, the source location of the activity will be calculated using Beamforming techniques.
Time Frame
one hour
10. Eligibility
Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
60 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Schizophrenic patients according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
Hebrew native speakers
Exclusion Criteria:
Language disabilities
Left handed
Reading disabilities
Brain damage
Impaired intelligence
Metal implants
Facility Information:
Facility Name
shalvata MHC
City
Hod Hasharon
Country
Israel
12. IPD Sharing Statement
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Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) Evidence for Novel Metaphor Processing Among Schizophrenic Patients
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