Dopaminergic modulation of belief-relevant cognitive processing: implications for the psychosis-spectrum

Lead Research Organisation: King's College London
Department Name: Neuroimaging

Abstract

Alterations to the mesolimbic dopamine system, particularly increased pre-synaptic dopamine synthesis, have been consistently associated with psychosis and several models associate this system with delusions and hallucinations through aberrant salience, reward prediction or associative learning. However, as delusions are considered pathologies of belief, this would also suggest that this system has a role in components of normal belief formation. Through the use of pharmacological modulation, this project aims to understand the effect of alteration to the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway on belief-related cognitive processes in the non-clinical and subclinical range to help understand the role of dopamine in the full spectrum of belief - linking the continuum of typical and pathological belief. We will test the hypothesis that i) dopamine modulation is associated with greater changes in beliefs more closely related to the psychosis spectrum, and the perceived self-relevance of beliefs in general; (ii) that these effects will be modulated by baseline schizotypy measures - indicating a role for the dopamine system in susceptibility to atypical beliefs outside the clinical spectrum.

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
MR/N013700/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2025
1917183 Studentship MR/N013700/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2021 Joseph Barnby
 
Title Senscapes 
Description Senscapes is an art-science venture that converts neuroscientific imaging data into music and visual art. 
Type Of Art Composition/Score 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact www.senscapes.com 
URL http://www.senscapes.com
 
Description Paranoia and Behaviour 
Organisation University College London
Department Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Experimental design and execution.
Collaborator Contribution Experimental design and statistical guidance.
Impact https://psyarxiv.com/2j7ms/
Start Year 2018
 
Description Paranoia and Dynamic Behaviour 
Organisation University College London
Department Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Experimental Design and Execution.
Collaborator Contribution Statistical Guidance and execution.
Impact Publication in preparation.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Experimental Espressos 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public double-blind caffeine experiment in the Science Gallery, London
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Senscapes 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Senscapes (www.senscapes.com) is an art-science venture that develops neuroscientific imaging data into music and art.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019,2020
URL http://www.senscapes.com