New Developments with Magnetoelectrical Techniques in Schizophrenia

About this Research Topic

Background

Higher mental functions are underpinned by the synchronous firing of distributed synaptic assemblies. This complex and dynamic –excitatory and inhibitory– activity is reflected in the magneto- and electroencephalographic (M/EEG) recording, which can, therefore, be used as a tool to investigate the altered substrates in several disorders affecting these mental functions, such as psychoses. Other approaches to the problem lack the temporal resolution of M/EEG techniques, which is a handicap given the very fast synthesis and dissolution of those synaptic assemblies. Recent advances in the field, incorporating sophisticated processing methods such as graph-theory developments, allow assessing subtle power and frequency M/EEG properties and its modulation related to task performance, both in individual sensors and at the network level. M/EEG may be used in combination with techniques such as magnetic resonance and transcranial magnetic stimulation offering complementary information to assess cerebral connectivity and investigate the functional consequences of alterations in the excitatory/inhibitory balance.
To update recent advances in the investigation on the substrates of schizophrenia and other psychoses using EEG and MEG techniques, as well as developments on methodology and clinical use of these tools applied to the psychotic syndrome. In particular, studies on the functional network properties and M/EEG task-related modulation, as well as assessments using complementary information from several other biological sources and/or including clinical and cognitive data are welcome.
This collection aims to include research using high-quality magnetoelectrical techniques applied to schizophrenia and related psychoses in human subjects or animal models.

The following topics and methods are welcome;

- Studies with EEG or MEG on first-episode or at-risk subjects as well as in stable patients in comparison with healthy controls
- Specificity analyses of M/EEG patterns in schizophrenia
- Assessments of effects of psychiatric treatments on activity patterns in schizophrenia
- Predictors of response to treatment in schizophrenia based on M/EEG patterns
- Evaluations of the associations between M/EEG patterns with cognition and/or clinical data.
- We encourage the use of advanced network analyses, although analyses at the sensor level (entropy, phase-locking value) can also be considered.
- We would consider spectral as well as event-related potential analyses.
- Source analyses and computational modeling of brain activity based on M/EEG data are also welcome.
- Finally, methodological advances in the field applied to psychoses would be considered too.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, electroencephalography, psychosis, network, oscillations

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