The primary objectives of this study are: 1) to determine brain areas that are differentially involved in the processing of emotional words in the three groups: ASD, psychopathy and a matched group of healthy controls; 2) to determine whether…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Psychiatric disorders NEC
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
1) Performance on reward/punishment learning task and ToM tests; 2) Emotional
valence ratings of words; 3) fMRI data obtained during passive reading of
neutral and emotional words and active emotional valence judgment
Secondary outcome
n/a
Background summary
Despite being different disorders, autism and psychopathy are both
characterized by impairments related to empathy and emotion understanding.
Studies suggest that attention and memory for emotional stimuli may be impaired
in both groups as well. A model proposed by Blair suggests that different
functions of the amygdala are impaired to a different degree in autism and
psychopathy. However, no study to date directly compared processing of
emotional stimuli in those two groups.
Study objective
The primary objectives of this study are: 1) to determine brain areas that are
differentially involved in the processing of emotional words in the three
groups: ASD, psychopathy and a matched group of healthy controls; 2) to
determine whether performance on Theory of Mind tests and reward/punishment
learning reliably dissociates the three groups;
Study design
This is a case-control study. In the first part of the study, the participants
perform two Theory of Mind (ToM) skill tests and a reward/punishment learning
task. In the second part, participants read neutral and emotional words
presented visually on the screen while lying in a MRI scanner.
Study burden and risks
The study does not involve invasive measures. The first part consists of a
number of behavioral tests that last for about 3 hours (including 1.5 hours for
the IQ testing) and is not associated with any risks or side effects. The
second part consists of the session in the MRI scanner and lasts for about 1
hour. The Donders Institute has a lot of experience with very similar studies.
The risks associated with the study procedures are negligible and the burden is
minimal. There is no therapeutic benefit associated with the study.
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
1) Age is between 18 and 50 years
2) Dutch is a native language
3) Vision is normal or corrected to normal
4) IQ is 80 or higher
5) male gender
6) a formal diagnosis of ASD (for ASD group), psychopathy (for psychopathy group), absence of any known neurological or psychiatric disorder (for healthy control group)
Exclusion criteria
1) history of brain surgery or brain trauma
2) neurological disorders such as epilepsy
3) use of antipsychotic medication
4) metal in the body
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL45017.091.13 |