Abstract
Background
Neural oscillations support perception, attention, and higher-order decision making.
Aberrations in the strength or consistency of these oscillations in response to stimuli
may underlie impaired visual perception and attention in schizophrenia. Here we examine
the phase and power of alpha oscillations (8-12Hz) as well as aspects of beta and
theta frequency oscillations during a demanding visual sustained attention task.
Methods
Schizophrenia patients (N=74) and healthy controls (N=68) completed the Degraded-Stimulus
Continuous Performance Task (DS-CPT) during electroencephalography. We used time-frequency
analysis to evaluate the consistency (inter-trial phase coherence, ITPC) of the alpha
cycle shortly after stimulus presentation (50-250ms). For oscillation strength we
examined event-related desynchronization (ERD) in a later window associated with decision
making (360-700ms).
Results
Alpha ITPC was reduced in schizophrenia and similar reductions were observed in theta
(4-7Hz) and beta (13-20Hz) suggesting a lack of responsiveness in slower oscillations
to visual stimuli. Alpha and beta ERD were also reduced in schizophrenia and associated
with worse task performance, increased symptoms, and poorer cognition, suggesting
that limited responsiveness of oscillations is related to impairments in the disorder.
Individuals with lower ITPC had slower resting state alpha rhythms consistent with
dysfunctional oscillations persisting across default and task-related brain states.
Conclusions
In schizophrenia, abnormalities in the phase consistency and strength of slower oscillations
during visual perception are related to symptoms and cognitive functioning. Altered
visual perception and impaired attention in the disorder may be the consequence of
aberrant slower oscillations that fail to dynamically reset and modulate in response
to stimuli.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 2,
2023
Received in revised form:
December 22,
2022
Received:
September 30,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
