This study will rely on a well-replicated auditory-motor task combined with EEG in two separate experiments (Experiment. 1: speech manipulation and Experiment. 2: emotion and uncertainty manipulations) to elucidate how misattribution of simple (…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary effect of interest/study parameter is N100 suppression effect for
different types of auditory stimuli obtained during the two EEG experiments,
and HP based on the scores of Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale (LSHS). N100
suppression effect will be analyzed as a function of HP scores to examine
alterations in sensory feedback and attentional processes associated with voice
hearing.
Secondary outcome
In accordance with our secondary objectives, secondary study measures are
a) EEG measures (e.g., P200, pre-stimulus alpha power) for self- and externally
generated tones vs. neutral self-voice (Experiment. 1), and neutral changing to
emotional self-voice in five steps (Experiment.2) using a auditory-motor task
b) Resting state EEG measures
c) Neuroimaging measures
d) Clinical and psychometric variables for the group assignment (voice hearers
vs. controls), stratification of the voice hearer group for further exploratory
analysis (with vs. without psychiatric diagnosis), as covariates (IQ), listed
under *questionnaires* in the research protocol
Background summary
Altered sensory feedback and source misattribution of self-generated speech may
lead to auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in non-clinical voice hearers as
well as psychotic patients. Unlike non-clinical voice hearers, psychotic
patients often report hearing derogatory voices, accentuating their attentional
bias towards negatively valenced emotions and salience (threat) misattribution.
However, it remains unclear whether an interplay of dysfunctional attentional
processes/salience misattribution and altered sensory feedback leads to
psychotic AVH. This study aims at investigating this interplay in voice hearers
and, therefore, constitutes a critical advancement in terms of the
understanding of the neuropsychology of AVH.
Study objective
This study will rely on a well-replicated auditory-motor task combined with EEG
in two separate experiments (Experiment. 1: speech manipulation and Experiment.
2: emotion and uncertainty manipulations) to elucidate how misattribution of
simple (tones) and complex auditory stimuli (neutral changing to emotional
self-voices) results from neural changes in sensory feedback and/or attentional
processes in voice hearers as a function of hallucination proneness (HP). In
addition, sophisticated MRI will be used to examine the changes in connectivity
among the underlying brain regions associated with these processes as a
function of HP.
Study design
This multi-modal study involves four testing sessions. Session 1: Screening
(neuropsychological assessments and interviews); Session 2: Voice recordings
(to be used during session 3); Session 3: EEG (2 separate experiments); Session
4 (optional): Neuroimaging. This study does not involve any form of clinical
intervention.
Study burden and risks
A total of four sessions are planned which have been designed to be as brief as
possible in order to minimize the burden of the participants. The sessions will
be scheduled according to the participants* preferences and with a rest period
of minimum one week in between. During the sessions, frequent breaks are
offered. All measures and assessments included in this study are non-invasive,
meaning that potential risks are ruled out. Participants will be approached in
their preferred language (Dutch or English) in order to ensure that they i)
fully comprehend the extent of the study and ii) feel as comfortable as
possible during the testing sessions. Please note that there are no medical
benefits for participation in the study.
Universiteitssingel 40
Maastricht 6229 ER
NL
Universiteitssingel 40
Maastricht 6229 ER
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a participant must meet
all of the following criteria:
General:
• Age range: 16-65 years;
• Written informed consent;
• MRI compatible (optional)
o No metallic implants in the body (e.g., metal braces, metallic teeth filling,
pacemaker etc.);
o No body tattoos with metallic ink (e.g., colored tattoos may contain metallic
ink);
o No claustrophobia.
Group 1: Individuals recruited from general population who do not hear voices
This group includes individuals recruited from the general population who vary
from low to high HP based on LSHS scores (university students, participant
panels, public advertisement).
o No reported history or current diagnosis of any neurological disorder;
Group 2: Individuals recruited from general population who hear voices
o score on item 8 or 10 of LSHS greater than 0;
o score on item 9 should be 0, meaning these individuals are not troubled by
the voices;
o Item 8: *I often hear a voice speaking my thoughts aloud*;
o Item 9: *I have been troubled by hearing voices in my head*;
o Item 10: *In the past, I have had the experience of hearing a person*s voice
and then found that no one was there;
o no reported history or past or current diagnosis presence of any neurological
disorder.
Group 3: Clinical voice-hearers.
This group includes individuals with or without formal diagnosis of psychotic
disorder who seek help for their mental health such as at high-risk for
psychosis individuals, psychotic patients with past/present AVH experience.
o scores on item 9 and 8 and/or 10 of LSHS greater than 0, meaning not only do
they hear voices but are also troubled by them;
Please note that the categorization of participants is merely for the
recruitment purposes and statistical analyses will be based on the continuum
perspective. Duration and dosage of any antipsychotic medication will be
recorded and used as covariates in the analyses.
Exclusion criteria
A potential participant who meets any of the following criteria will be
excluded from participation in this study:
o Any previous neurosurgery or neurological disorder, including epilepsy;
o Refusing to have EEG performed;
o Inability to fully comprehend the purpose of the study or to make a rational
decision whether or not to participate;
If voice hearing is caused exclusively by substance abuse (drug or alcohol
addiction) or a neurological condition such as tumor or lesions etc.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL72992.068.20 |
| Other | NL9508 |
| OMON | NL-OMON23432 |