Grant: CANADA-HOPE Scholarship Program - Operating Grant

Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder prevalent in both developing and developed countries. Cognitive symptoms like memory impairments are important symptoms of schizophrenia hindering the functional recovery of patients. However, at present available medications have limited efficacy in treatment of cognitive symptoms though are effective in treatment of other symptoms, possibly due to differences in pathogenesis. The proposed study aims to examine biological mechanisms underlying the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia by using brain imaging modality positron emission tomography (PET). We intend to study the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. We will also assess the relation between cognitive symptoms and functional outcome in developing country, India to study the cross cultural impact of cognitive symptoms. The study findings will open the road for future studies of the etiology, progression, as well as potential new targets to treat cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia which could have potential theoretical and clinical applications.