How semantic deficits in schizotypy help understand language and thought disorders in schizophrenia: a systematic and integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: Disorders of thought are psychopathological phenomena commonly present in schizophrenia and seem to result from deficits of semantic processing. Schizotypal personality traits consist of tendencies to think and behave that are qualitatively similar to schizophrenia, with greater vulnerability to such disorder. This study reviewed the literature about semantic processing deficits in samples of individuals with schizotypal traits and discussed the impact of current knowledge upon the comprehension of schizophrenic thought disorders. Studies about the cognitive performance of healthy individuals with schizotypal traits help understand the semantic deficits underlying psychotic thought disorders with the advantage of avoiding confounding factors usually found in samples of individuals with schizophrenia, such as the use of antipsychotics and hospitalizations. Methods: A search for articles published in Portuguese or English within the last 10 years on the databases MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, LILACS and Biological Abstracts was conducted, using the keywords semantic processing, schizotypy and schizotypal personality disorder. Results: The search retrieved 44 manuscripts, out of which 11 were firstly chosen. Seven manuscripts were additionally included after reading these papers. Conclusion:The great majority of the included studies showed that schizotypal subjects might exhibit semantic processing deficits. They help clarify about the interfaces between cognitive, neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms underlying not only thought disorders, but also healthy human mind's creativity.

Schizotypal personality and semantic functioning: Revisiting category fluency effects in a subclinical sample

“…This finding has motivated several studies using the schizotypy analogue, aimed at ascertaining whether these disturbances can also be identified at subclinical stages. These kinds of studies help to understand the deficits that underlie psychotic thought disorders, avoiding confounding factors frequently observed in schizophrenia, like the use of drugs or hospitalization (Tonelli, 2014).…”

“…Schizotypal personality traits are considered an indicator of vulnerability to psychosis (Meehl, 1962), based on markers such as perceptual or cognitive distortions, interpersonal deficits and eccentric behavior, which appear in the general population as a continuum (Tonelli, 2014).…”

Visual Verbal Information Processing under Conditions of Reading and Categorization in Schizotypy: An Event-Related Brain Potential Study

“…Schizotypy includes changes in behaviors, cognitions, and emotions, but these changes are less pronounced than in schizophrenia [5]. It is known, that thought disorder is a defining feature of schizophrenia [6] and schizotypy [7]. Disorders of thought are psychopathological phenomena that seem to result from deficits of se-mantic processing in schizophrenic and schizotypal subjects [7].…”

“…It is known, that thought disorder is a defining feature of schizophrenia [6] and schizotypy [7]. Disorders of thought are psychopathological phenomena that seem to result from deficits of se-mantic processing in schizophrenic and schizotypal subjects [7].…”

“…The N400 is widely used in studies of semantic priming. Semantic priming is the most common method employed in studies focused on disorders of semantic processing in schizophrenia [7]. It is a lexical decision test that examines the character of associations between mental concepts.…”