Pharmaco-fMRI

The functional neuroanatomy that underlies normal-range cognition, and cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric illness, are both subject to intensive research investigation at present. However, the role of neurochemical modulation of these functions, and the link between neurochemical disturbances and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, have been less well-studied. In addition, while cognitive dysfunction is well-established as critical to clinical outcome in schizophrenia, existing treatments confer minimal benefit for these problems. We have recently begun to address the relationship between pharmacology and cognition by employing functional neuroimaging and electrophysiology to evaluate the effects of centrally-acting neuropharmacological agents on the neural basis of cognition. At present we are testing the effects of modafinil, a novel pro-catecholaminergic agent, on cognitive control and frontal cortex activity in both healthy adults and schizophrenia patients. This line of investigation holds the promise of elucidating the role of neurochemical modulation of cognition, and advancing the process of development of new treatments for this illness.