# Neural Mechanisms of Reading Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $39,896

## Abstract

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. The
funded project evaluates reading performance in first-episode Sz participants to evaluate the relationship to
function outcome. This supplement extends the project in two ways. First, it adds reading assessments
(n=10/yr) to individuals already participating in cognitive remediation projects funded through NYS OMH clinics
in order to evaluate the effectiveness of current remediation approaches. Second, it implements a visually
targeted on-line remediation program that will be added to the funded project. Participants (n=10/yr) will then
undergo repeat eye-tracking and FRP assessment following 30 hrs of on-line intervention. These studies will
provide pilot data for future randomized, controlled clinical trials.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10992475
- **Project number:** 3R01MH121449-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** DANIEL C. JAVITT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $39,896
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10992475

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10992475, Neural Mechanisms of Reading Dysfunction in Schizophrenia (3R01MH121449-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10992475. Licensed CC0.

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