We combine methods such as a detailed assessment of psychopathology with functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, eye tracking and biomarkers:
Detailed psychopathology: Besides the internationally widely used ultra-high risk approach to assess a CHR state of psychosis, we also use basic symptom criteria for the early identification and diagnosis of young people with a CHR for the development of psychosis. Basic symptoms are subtle, self-experienced disturbances of affective, perceptual and cognitive processes. In particular, a subgroup of cognitive and perceptive basic symptoms has become an essential part in the early detection of psychosis. Yet, basic symptoms are not restricted to the early phases but an integral part of psychotic disorders. We assess CHR states according to the guidelines of the European Psychiatric Association.
Behavioral tasks: Behavioral tasks focusing on social cognition, emotion recognition, emotional intelligence, reward responsiveness and depersonalization phenomena are used to further understand the mechanisms of CHR patients.
The mirror gazing task is used to trigger transient deviation of perception and depersonalization phenomena.
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS): We use near-infrared spectroscopy for the purpose of functional neuroimaging. Using fNIRS, brain activity is measured through hemodynamic responses associated with neuron behavior.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS): Ionizing-radiation-free analytical technique that has been used to study diseases affecting the brain. We use MRS in our CHR and our IGD project.
Arterial Spin Labeling MRI: We assess regional cerebral blood flow via arterial spin labeling MRI which provides a measure of neuronal activity.
Eye tracking: We use eye tracking to measure eye positions and eye movement during behavioral task assessment.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): Applications running on a cell phone can be used to measure a multitude of behavioral/mood states several times a day in a participant’s natural environment. By repeatedly measuring experiences, moods and behaviors in real-time we can obtain a more comprehensive measure of our outcomes.
