# Neural Mechanisms of Reading Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $688,683

## Abstract

Schizophrenia (Sz) is associated with deficits in reading ability that interrelate with disturbances in early
auditory and visual/oculomotor processing. This project evaluates consequences and causes of reading
impairment in Sz using combined multimodal imaging, eye tracking and computational modeling. Skilled
reading depends upon intact auditory and visual sensory integration, as well as higher-order cognition. Deficits
in early auditory processing in Sz are indexed by impaired tone matching and auditory plasticity, as well as by
impaired generation of mismatch negativity (MMN) and reflect dysfunction within subcortical and cortical
components of the early auditory system. Deficits in visual sensory processing are indexed by reduced
contrast and motion sensitivity, impaired generation of visual event-related potentials (ERP), reduced fMRI
activation of subcortical and cortical early visual regions. Visual oculomotor deficits are reflected by increased
rates of refixation in Sz, as well as impaired generation of the fixation-related potential (FRP) during reading.
Processes underlying impaired oculomotor control during reading may be modeled using non-linear
computational approaches, such as E-Z Reader, which evaluate effects of alterations in specific visual, lexical
and oculomotor parameters on discrete eye movement measures across populations and individuals. This
project consists of 2 interrelated components. In SA1, we will evaluate consequences of reading impairment in
patients (n=120) recruited from the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) OnTrackNY program.
OnTrackNY provides longitudinal services to first-episode schizophrenia (FESz) patients and collects extensive
clinical and outcome data. We will collect additional reading, cognition and symptom data and will evaluate the
relationship of reading dysfunction to outcome using mediation/moderation modeling both cross-sectionally
and prospectively. A subsample of 60 FESz subjects will be restudied at 1.5-2 yr follow-up. In SA2, we will
investigate mechanisms underlying the impairments using a multi-modal imaging approach incorporating
combined eye-tracking, ERP/FRP, and fMRI measures and computational modeling. Auditory and visual
sensory function will be assessed using convergent behavioral, ERP and fMRI measures. Eye-movements,
FRP and fMRI will be collected to both normal and unsegmented text in order to manipulate parafoveal load.
Patterns of eye movement disturbance will be modeled across groups using E-Z Reader or successor eye-
movement modeling programs to differentiate effects of “top down” vs. “bottom up” contributions. We have
previously demonstrated that clinical high risk (CHR) individuals show visual but not auditory deficits similar to
those of Sz. Here, we will compare patterns between FESz, CHR and healthy control (HC) populations
(n=40/grp). This project represents a comprehensive evaluation of consequences and causes of impaired
reading in Sz, and will provi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200005
- **Project number:** 5R01MH121449-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** DANIEL C. JAVITT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $688,683
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200005

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200005, Neural Mechanisms of Reading Dysfunction in Schizophrenia (5R01MH121449-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200005. Licensed CC0.

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