Sara Weinstein

2004 Research Trainee Award, Senior Graduate Studentship

Associations among decreased planum temporale asymmetry, functional laterality during semantic processing, and severity of thought disorder in schizophrenia

Most language processing occurs in the left hemisphere of the brain. In schizophrenia, language is disturbed on several levels: from abnormal anatomy in essential regions of the left hemisphere to deficits in comprehension and expression. Studies suggest genetic and environmental factors interact to cause abnormal anatomical development in the left hemisphere, resulting in abnormal functions that lead to schizophrenia symptoms. Sara Weinstein is investigating how abnormal brain structure and brain functions relate to a deviation in linguistic processing and expression that results in thought disorder, which is a primary symptom of schizophrenia. The research could help explain what causes schizophrenia symptoms — the first step toward developing more effective treatments. Completed award term, August 2007

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