1
|
Pappalettera C, Miraglia F, Cacciotti A, Nucci L, Tufo G, Rossini PM, Vecchio F. The impact of virtual reality and distractors on attentional processes: insights from EEG. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-03008-w. [PMID: 39158612 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-03008-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) allows to create controlled scenarios in which the quantity of stimuli can be modulated, as happen in real-life, where humans are subjected to various multisensory-often overlapping-stimuli. The present research aimed to study changes in attentional processes within an auditory oddball paradigm during a virtual exploration, while varying the amount of distractors. Twenty healthy volunteers underwent electroencephalography (EEG) during three different experimental conditions: an auditory oddball without VR (No-VR condition), an auditory oddball during VR exploration without distractors (VR-Empty condition), and an auditory oddball during VR exploration with a high level of distractors (VR-Full condition). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were computed averaging epochs of EEGs and analyzing peaks at 100 ms (N100) and 300 ms (P300) latencies. Results showed modulation of N100 amplitude in Fz and of P300 amplitude in Pz. Statistically significant differences in latency were observed only for P300 where the latency results delayed from the No-VR to VR-Full. The scalp topography revealed for P100 no significant differences between frequent and rare stimuli in either the No-VR and VR-Empty conditions. However, significant results were found in N100 in VR-Full condition. For P300, results showed differences between frequent and rare stimuli, in every condition. However, this difference is gradually less widespread from No-VR condition to the VR-Full. The emerging integration of VR with EEG may have important implications for studying brain attentional processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pappalettera
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy
| | - Francesca Miraglia
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy
| | - Alessia Cacciotti
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Nucci
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tufo
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vecchio
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Coffman BA, Curtis MT, Sklar A, Seebold D, Salisbury DF. Recovery of auditory evoked response attentional gain modulation following the first psychotic episode indexes improvements in symptom severity. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:3706-3716. [PMID: 37070800 PMCID: PMC10203789 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Attentional control of auditory N100/M100 gain is reduced in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Persistent problems with executive modulation of auditory sensory activity may impact multiple aspects of psychosis. As a follow-up to our prior work reporting deficits in attentional M100 gain modulation in auditory cortex, we examined changes in M100 gain modulation longitudinally, and further examined relationships between auditory M100 and symptoms of psychosis. We compared auditory M100 in auditory sensory cortex between 21 FEP and 29 matched healthy participants and between timepoints separated by 220 ± 100 days. Magnetoencephalography data were recorded while participants alternately attended or ignored tones in an auditory oddball task. M100 was measured as the average of 80-140 ms post-stimulus in source-localized evoked responses within bilateral auditory cortex. Symptoms were assessed using the PANSS and PSYRATS. M100 amplitudes, attentional modulation of M100 amplitudes, and symptom severity all improved in FEP over time. Further, improvement in M100 modulation correlated with improvements in negative symptoms (PANSS) as well as physical, cognitive, and emotional components of hallucinations (PSYRATS). Conversely, improvements in the overall size of the M100, rather than the difference between active and passive M100 amplitudes, were related to worsening of positive symptoms (PANSS) and physical components of hallucinations. Results indicate a link between symptoms (particularly auditory hallucinations) and auditory cortex neurophysiology in FEP, where auditory attention and auditory sensation have opposed relationships to symptom change. These findings may inform current models of psychosis etiology and could provide nonpharmaceutical avenues for early intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian A. Coffman
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mark T. Curtis
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
- Present address:
Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesWashington UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Alfredo Sklar
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Dylan Seebold
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Dean F. Salisbury
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sklar AL, Ren X, Chlpka L, Curtis M, Coffman BA, Salisbury DF. Diminished Auditory Cortex Dynamic Range and its Clinical Correlates in First Episode Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:679-687. [PMID: 36749310 PMCID: PMC10154701 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS There is growing appreciation for the contribution of sensory disruptions to disease morbidity in psychosis. The present study examined auditory cortex (AC) dynamic range: the scaling of neurophysiological responses to stimulus intensity, among individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum illness (FESz) and its relationship to clinical outcomes at disease onset. STUDY DESIGN Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was recorded from 35 FESz and 40 healthy controls (HC) during binaural presentation of tones at three intensities (75 dB, 80 dB, and 85 dB). MRIs were obtained to enhance cortical localization of MEG sensor-level activity. All participants completed the MATRICS cognitive battery (MCCB) and Global Functioning: Role and Social scales (GFR/GFS). Patients were administered the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). STUDY RESULTS FESz exhibited reduced AC response relative to HC. Enhancement of AC activity to tones of increasing intensity was blunted in FESz relative to HC. Reduced dynamic range (85-75 dB AC response) was associated with lower GFS (r = .58) and GFR (r = .45) scores, worse MCCB performance (r = .45), and increased PANSS Negative symptom subscale scores (r = -.55) among FESz, relationships not observed with AC responses to individual tones. CONCLUSION Beyond an impaired AC response to pure tones, FESz exhibit reduced dynamic range relative to HC. This impairment was correlated with markers of disease morbidity including poorer community functioning as well as cognitive and negative symptoms. The relationship with impaired social functioning may reflect the role of AC dynamic range in decoding the emotional content of language and highlights its importance to future therapeutic sensory remediation protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo L Sklar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xi Ren
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Lydia Chlpka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Mark Curtis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brian A Coffman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dean F Salisbury
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Curtis MT, Sklar AL, Coffman BA, Salisbury DF. Functional connectivity and gray matter deficits within the auditory attention circuit in first-episode psychosis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1114703. [PMID: 36860499 PMCID: PMC9968732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1114703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Selective attention deficits in first episode of psychosis (FEP) can be indexed by impaired attentional modulation of auditory M100. It is unknown if the pathophysiology underlying this deficit is restricted to auditory cortex or involves a distributed attention network. We examined the auditory attention network in FEP. Methods MEG was recorded from 27 FEP and 31 matched healthy controls (HC) while alternately ignoring or attending tones. A whole-brain analysis of MEG source activity during auditory M100 identified non-auditory areas with increased activity. Time-frequency activity and phase-amplitude coupling were examined in auditory cortex to identify the attentional executive carrier frequency. Attention networks were defined by phase-locking at the carrier frequency. Spectral and gray matter deficits in the identified circuits were examined in FEP. Results Attention-related activity was identified in prefrontal and parietal regions, markedly in precuneus. Theta power and phase coupling to gamma amplitude increased with attention in left primary auditory cortex. Two unilateral attention networks were identified with precuneus seeds in HC. Network synchrony was impaired in FEP. Gray matter thickness was reduced within the left hemisphere network in FEP but did not correlate with synchrony. Conclusion Several extra-auditory attention areas with attention-related activity were identified. Theta was the carrier frequency for attentional modulation in auditory cortex. Left and right hemisphere attention networks were identified, with bilateral functional deficits and left hemisphere structural deficits, though FEP showed intact auditory cortex theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling. These novel findings indicate attention-related circuitopathy early in psychosis potentially amenable to future non-invasive interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dean F. Salisbury
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Duncan E, Roach BJ, Massa N, Hamilton HK, Bachman PM, Belger A, Carrion RE, Johannesen JK, Light GA, Niznikiewicz MA, Addington JM, Bearden CE, Cadenhead KS, Cannon TD, Cornblatt BA, McGlashan TH, Perkins DO, Tsuang M, Walker EF, Woods SW, Nasiri N, Mathalon DH. Auditory N100 amplitude deficits predict conversion to psychosis in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS-2) cohort. Schizophr Res 2022; 248:89-97. [PMID: 35994912 PMCID: PMC10091223 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The auditory N100 is an event related potential (ERP) that is reduced in schizophrenia, but its status in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) and its ability to predict conversion to psychosis remains unclear. We examined whether N100 amplitudes are reduced in CHR subjects relative to healthy controls (HC), and this reduction predicts conversion to psychosis in CHR. METHODS Subjects included CHR individuals (n = 552) and demographically similar HC subjects (n = 236) from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study. Follow-up assessments identified CHR individuals who converted to psychosis (CHRC; n = 73) and those who did not (CHR-NC; n = 225) over 24 months. Electroencephalography data were collected during an auditory oddball task containing Standard, Novel, and Target stimuli. N100 peak amplitudes following each stimulus were measured at electrodes Cz and Fz. RESULTS The CHR subjects had smaller N100 absolute amplitudes than HC subjects at Fz (F(1,786) = 4.00, p 0.046). A model comparing three groups (CHRC, CHR-NC, HC) was significant for Group at the Cz electrode (F(2,531) = 3.58, p = 0.029). Both Standard (p = 0.019) and Novel (p = 0.017) stimuli showed N100 absolute amplitude reductions in CHR-C relative to HC. A smaller N100 amplitude at Cz predicted conversion to psychosis in the CHR cohort (Standard: p = 0.009; Novel: p = 0.001) and predicted shorter time to conversion (Standard: p = 0.013; Novel: p = 0.001). CONCLUSION N100 amplitudes are reduced in CHR individuals which precedes the onset of psychosis. N100 deficits in CHR individuals predict a greater likelihood of conversion to psychosis. Our results highlight N100's utility as a biomarker of psychosis risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Duncan
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| | - Brian J Roach
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas Massa
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Holly K Hamilton
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Peter M Bachman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Aysenil Belger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ricardo E Carrion
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jason K Johannesen
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gregory A Light
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Jean M Addington
- Department of Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kristin S Cadenhead
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Tyrone D Cannon
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Barbara A Cornblatt
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Thomas H McGlashan
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Diana O Perkins
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ming Tsuang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Scott W Woods
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Nima Nasiri
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Daniel H Mathalon
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Curtis MT, Ren X, Coffman BA, Salisbury DF. Attentional M100 gain modulation localizes to auditory sensory cortex and is deficient in first-episode psychosis. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:218-228. [PMID: 36073535 PMCID: PMC9783396 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective attention is impaired in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Selective attention effects can be detected during auditory tasks as increased sensory activity. We previously reported electroencephalography scalp-measured N100 enhancement is reduced in FEP. Here, we localized magnetoencephalography (MEG) M100 source activity within the auditory cortex, making novel use of the Human Connectome Project multimodal parcellation (HCP-MMP) to identify precise auditory cortical areas involved in attention modulation and its impairment in FEP. MEG was recorded from 27 FEP and 31 matched healthy controls (HC) while individuals either ignored frequent standard and rare oddball tones while watching a silent movie or attended tones by pressing a button to oddballs. Because M100 arises mainly in the auditory cortices, MEG activity during the M100 interval was projected to the auditory sensory cortices defined by the HCP-MMP (A1, lateral belt, and parabelt parcels). FEP had less auditory sensory cortex M100 activity in both conditions. In addition, there was a significant interaction between group and attention. HC enhanced source activity with attention, but FEP did not. These results demonstrate deficits in both sensory processing and attentional modulation of the M100 in FEP. Novel use of the HCP-MMP revealed the precise cortical areas underlying attention modulation of auditory sensory activity in healthy individuals and impairments in FEP. The sensory reduction and attention modulation impairment indicate local and systems-level pathophysiology proximal to disease onset that may be critical for etiology. Further, M100 and N100 enhancement may serve as outcome variables for targeted intervention to improve attention in early psychosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark T. Curtis
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Xi Ren
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Brian A. Coffman
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Dean F. Salisbury
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pokorny VJ, Sponheim SR. Neural Indicator of Altered Mismatch Detection Predicts Atypical Cognitive-Perceptual Experiences in Psychotic Psychopathology. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:371-381. [PMID: 34665861 PMCID: PMC8886594 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical auditory processing (AAP) in psychotic psychopathology is evident in early (N1), mid-latency (P2/N2/mismatch negativity), and late (P3) neural responses. The influence of attention on AAP, and how temporal stages of AAP are associated with phenomenology of psychotic psychopathology are not well understood. METHODS We used a directed attention oddball task to characterize stages of AAP in psychosis and to examine the influence of selective attention. Ninety patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), 53 patients with bipolar disorder (BP), 90 healthy controls and 72 first-degree relatives of SCZ (SREL) were studied. We used principal components analysis to decompose average-reference 64-channel subject-level ERPs. RESULTS Altered attentional modulation was evident in SCZ at early (N1 factor) and late (P3 factor) stages of AAP, but not at mid-latency P2 factor. Irrespective of condition, N1 and P3 were reduced in SCZ, which predicted greater psychopathology and schizotypal personality traits. Diminished mid-latency mismatch detection (P2 factor) was evident in SCZ, BP, and SREL and was associated with greater positive symptoms of psychosis as well as self-reported atypical cognitive-perceptual experiences. CONCLUSIONS Attentional modulation of early N1, and later P3 neural responses was atypical in patients, but the degree of attentional modulation did not relate to symptom severity or schizotypal traits. Our findings suggest the link between mid-latency mismatch detection and atypical cognitive/perceptual experiences is not driven by attentional deficits alone and point to the promise of mid-latency mismatch detection as a candidate endophenotype and intervention target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor J Pokorny
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.,Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota
| | - Scott R Sponheim
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.,Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sklar AL, Coffman BA, Salisbury DF. Fronto-parietal network function during cued visual search in the first-episode schizophrenia spectrum. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:339-345. [PMID: 34304038 PMCID: PMC8364882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments account for significant morbidity in schizophrenia and are present at disease onset. Controlled processes are particularly susceptible and may contribute to pervasive selective attention deficits. The present study assessed fronto-parietal attention network (FPAN) functioning during cue presentation on a visual search task in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum patients (FE) and its relation to symptom burden and community functioning. Brain activity was recorded with magnetoencephalography from 38 FE and 38 healthy controls (HC) during blocks of pop-out and serial search target detection. Activity during cue presentation was compared between groups across bilateral FPAN regions (frontal eye fields (FEF), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), midcingulate cortex (MCC), and intraparietal sulcus (IPS)). FE exhibited greater right hemisphere IFG activity despite worse performance relative to HC. Performance and FPAN activity were not correlated in HC. Among FE, however, stronger activity within right hemisphere FEF and IFG was associated with faster responses. Stronger right IPS and left IFG activity in patients was also associated with reduced negative symptoms and improved community functioning, respectively. Increased reliance on the FPAN for task completion suggests an inefficient cognitive control network and might reflect a compensation for impaired attentional deployment during target detection, a strategy employed by those with less severe illness. These findings represent a critical step towards identifying the neural substrates of negative symptoms and impaired neurocognition at disease onset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo L Sklar
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Brian A Coffman
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dean F Salisbury
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Western Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|