DIALOG: A study on disorganized speech in psychosis
An International research project about understanding disorganized speech in severe mental illnesses
Disorganized speech, which involves losing one’s train of thought or struggling to organize ideas logically, can significantly affect social engagement, daily functioning, and overall recovery. These communication difficulties often reinforce stigma and create barriers to meaningful social interactions, limiting opportunities for stable employment and successful recovery.
DIALOG is an international and interdisciplinary research initiative dedicated to understanding the neurobiological origins of disorganized speech in severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.
Our research explores how variation in disorganized speech affects social participation, with the goal of reducing stigma and promoting inclusive communities for individuals facing communication challenges.
Bridging neuroscience and AI to understand disorganized speech in psychosis
By leveraging cutting-edge Large Language Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), our team extracts precise markers from naturalistic, everyday language. This study takes a novel approach by integrating computational tools with large-scale neuroimaging data (brain imaging) from over 3,000 patients.
Our goal is to identify the neural signatures, such as synaptic density and neuronal connectivity, that contribute to disorganized speech.
Aligned with the Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health’s mission, DIALOG aims to:
Analyze predictive processing and language patterns
Collaborate
Translate computational insights into new targeted mental health treatments.
This global initiative, co-conceived with lived-experience experts, unites researchers and collaborators from seven countries: Canada, Australia, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, USA.
Participant recruitment & eligibility in Montreal
We are currently seeking participants to help us improve our understanding of disorganized speech in mental health.
Our objective is to recruit 100 participants in Montreal.
Eligibility criteria
Participants aged 18–65
Fluent in English or French
No history of psychosis or other mental health conditions
Exclusion critera
Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Any non-removable metal implants or devices in your body (e.g., dental implants, crowns, metal wires behind the teeth, or non-removable piercings)
If you wish to contribute to the advancement to understand disorganized speech, please contact our recruitment team: dialog.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
What to Expect During the Study
Visit Details
Our study is designed to be safe, supportive, and respectful of your time. The study consists of a single visit (half a day) at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
During this visit, you will complete some clinical and cognitive questionnaires, take part in recorded speech tasks, and undergo Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.
Safety and Comfort
A member of our research team will be present throughout the entire visit to ensure your comfort and safety.
Both MEG and MRI are safe, non‑invasive neuroimaging techniques with no known side effects.
We prioritize your well‑being and will adapt the session to your pace and preferences.
Your Rights as a Participant
Participation in this study is completely voluntary.
You have the right to pause, stop the session, or withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences.
You are welcome to ask questions at any point about the study procedures or your participation.
Meet our Team
Researchers
Lena Palaniyappan, Principal Investigator
Ranjini Garani, Project Coordinator
Dr. Garani specializes in neuroimaging and collaborative brain research. With extensive experience managing multi-site imaging studies, she ensures high data quality and compliance with research standards. A dedicated advocate for open science, she develops transparent workflows to provide meaningful insights into brain structure and function.
Kelsey Davis, Clinical Coordinator
Kelsey oversees clinical coordination for the DIALOG project, managing participant recruitment, assessments, and clinical site liaison. She ensures strict adherence to protocols and ethical standards. With extensive experience in multi-site studies, Kelsey is committed to improving access to evidence-based mental health care through high-quality, participant-centered research.
Etienne Barou-Laforie, Research Assitant
Etienne brings a cross-disciplinary perspective to the DIALOG project, bridging neuroscience, AI, and cognitive science. His work emphasizes computational and experimental approaches to support the intersection of mental health and cognitive research at the Douglas Institute.
Trainees
Hsi (Tiana) Wei, postdoctoral researcher McGill University
Hsi (Tiana) Wei is a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in neurolinguistics, natural language processing (NLP), and MEG analysis. Within the DIALOG project, she leads the speech-related experimental design, electrophysiological and speech data analysis to associate MEG signals with NLP-based speech performance and clinical symptoms
Abhijit Chinchani, Postdoctoral Researcher
Chinchani is a postdoctoral researcher with extensive expertise in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and computational modeling, with a focus on brain connectivity analyses. He is responsible for designing and implementing analytical pipelines to estimate effective (causal) connectivity from fMRI data using dynamic causal modeling, contributing to a mechanistic understanding of dysfunction in psychiatric disorders.
Farida Zaher, Graduate Researcher McGill University
Farida is a researcher and graduate (Msc) at McGill University explores how mental health treatments influence communication. Her thesis specifically examines the impact of ketamine treatment on speech patterns in treatment-resistant depression. Within the DIALOG project, she bridges the gap between clinical insight and computational research, investigating the neural and linguistic mechanisms that reflect mental states and underlie speech disorganization.
Jessica Ahrens, Graduate Researcher McGill University
A PhD candidate in McGill’s Neuroscience program, Jessica utilizes neuromelanin-MRI to explore the dopamine system in schizophrenia. Her academic passion is deeply rooted in her personal experience as a lived-experience advocate for those with mental illness.
Our funders and partners
