Project Summary

Ruth E. Salo, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2007) of the University of California, Davis, wants to know if methamphetamine (MA) use is a risk factor for schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. Although psychotic symptoms are well documented in a subset of MA abusers, little is known about the characteristics of those who develop psychotic symptoms versus those who do not. Dr. Salo suggests the existence of possible neural and behavioral markers reflecting prefrontal cortical function may be linked to the development of MA psychosis. She will use two powerful imaging techniques (fMRI and MRS) in conjunction with behavioral assessments to examine the neural and behavioral predictors of psychotic symptoms in MA abusers. Genetic samples will also be obtained to test the hypothesis that a functional polymorphism a gene called COMT may interact with MA use to produce psychotic symptoms. The use of neuroimaging in conjunction with targeted cognitive assessments will be essential, Dr. Salo says, to identify markers reflecting prefrontal cortical function that may be linked to the development of psychotic symptoms.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder

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