Background
Mismatch negativity (MMN) and visual P1 event-related potentials (ERPs) are established markers of impaired auditory and visual sensory dysfunction in schizophrenia, respectively. Differential relationships of these measures with premorbid and present function and with clinical course have been noted in independent cohorts, but measures have not been compared previously within the same patient group.
Methods
26 patients with schizophrenia and 19 controls participated in a simultaneous visual and auditory ERPs experiment. Attended visual ERPs were obtained to low- and high-spatial frequency stimuli. Simultaneously, MMN was obtained to unattended pitch, duration and intensity deviant stimuli. Permorbid function, symptom and global outcome measures were obtained as correlational measures.
Results
Patients showed substantial P1 reductions to low-, but not high- SF stimuli, unrelated to visual acuity. Patients also exhibited reduced MMN to all deviant types. No significant correlations were observed between visual ERPs and either premorbid or global outcome measures or with illness duration. In contrast, MMN amplitude correlated significantly and independently with premorbid educational achievement, cognitive symptoms and global function, as well as duration of illness. MMN to duration vs. other deviants was differentially reduced in individuals with poor premorbid function.
Conclusion
Visual and auditory ERP measures were differentially related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Visual deficits correlated poorly with both functional measures and illness duration, and so may be viewed best as trait vulnerability markers. Deficits in MMN are independently related to premorbid function and illness duration, suggesting independent neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative contributions. Findings suggest that different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may account for impaired visual and auditory neurophysiological dysfunction in schizophrenia.
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