- NeuroImaging Centrum
Cooperation
- Universitair Centrum Psychiatrie
- Lentis
- GGZ Drenthe
- GGZ Friesland
Period
2013 – 2018
Finance
unknown
Finance by
- NWO VICI, ERC
Status
in uitvoering
Contact(s)
Esther Opmeer
050-3616401
e.m.opmeer@umcg.nl
A.Deusinglaan 2
9713 AW Groningen
Abstract
Apathy is a quantitative reduction of self-generated voluntary and purposeful behavior. It is a common symptom in several neuropathological disorders, like schizophrenia. Apathy is very bothersome for the patients and is a strong predictor of poor outcome. Clinically, a distinction has been made between a cognitive (CA) and a social-emotional (SEA) form of apathy. These forms both result in reduced behavioral activation. However, CA and SEA might reflect different cognitive deficits with different underlying neural substrates. It has been suggested that CA is due to a lack of self-initiated action and cognitive control, whereas reduced salience signaling of positive events lies at the core of SEA. The primary objective of the proposed study is to examine the neural substrate of CA and SEA in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, we intend to explore the concentration of brain metabolites and structural differences. We will focus on differences between patients with high CA, high SEA, low apathy and healthy controls.