Analyzing the EEG signal underlying the affective and cognitive processes involved in understanding others' mental states within the schizophrenia spectrum

Cognitive psychology and neuropsychology focus on the various affective and cognitive processes that underlie human behavior, including the most complex ones involved in our daily social interactions, such as empathic behavior (the ability to share and understand others' emotions) and the capacity to attribute epistemic mental states to others, such as their intentions or beliefs (theory of mind). The study of these processes, known as social cognition, has greatly benefited from advances in cognitive neuroscience techniques, such as electroencephalography (EEG). EEG provides insights into the chronometry of cerebral activations related to cognitive processes. Understanding this temporal aspect of brain function allows us to refine our comprehension of the affective and cognitive processes underpinning complex social behaviors and helps in identifying new objective markers of cognitive abnormalities observed in various conditions like schizophrenia, where social dysfunction can significantly impact quality of life.

The goal of the current project (SchizoEmp) is to develop methods for analyzing EEG signals recorded during cognitive tasks that target the attribution of mental states to others (particularly intentions and empathy for pain) in both the general population and individuals with schizophrenia. The analysis will use several approaches to identify complementary markers of brain function, including statistical analyses of cognitive event-related potentials, time-frequency analyses, and assessments of functional connectivity at the level of surface electrodes or reconstructed neural sources. The SchizoEmp project aims to yield fundamental insights, by advancing our understanding of cognitive and brain functioning in everyday social interactions, as well as clinical benefits, by identifying potential new therapeutic targets.

Project Leader

Damien VISTOLI, Associate Professor of Psychology, LAPCOS Laboratory (UPR 7278), MSHS Sud-Est, Université Côte d'Azur.

The SchizoEmp project involves the participation of various partners and collaborators from the LAPCOS Laboratory (UPR 7278), BCL Laboratory (UMR 7320), and LJAD Laboratory (UMR 7351), as well as the CoCoLab platform (MSHS Nice Sud-Est), Nice University Hospital (CHU de Nice), and the Princess Grace Hospital Center (CHPG) in Monaco.