9 - Functional imaging studies on language lateralization in schizophrenia patients

Summary

This chapter presents the different methods and language tasks that are used to evaluate functional lateralization, as well as the confounding variables that can affect the functional lateralization of language in schizophrenia. In order to evaluate the hemispheric dominance of language, functional laterality indices (FLI) need to be computed. Functional lateralization for language was also assessed through the combination of two language tasks: a paced verb generation task and a semantic decision task. Potential confounding factors, such as handedness, gender, severity of the psychotic symptoms, task performances, or medication have to be considered in interpreting the results of functional imaging studies. The chapter also presents some studies supporting the idea that reduced language lateralization may be a marker of schizophrenia. To date, only one study has investigated the time course of functional lateralization of language in schizophrenia.