Event-related potentials in schizophrenicsPotentiels liés aux événements chez les schizophrènes

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Abstract

Fifteen schizophrenics and 15 age-matched controls were compared on 3 auditory event-related potential (ERP) paradigms that elicited a variety of components. In one paradigm, tones were given at 0.75, 2.25 and 6.75 sec interstimulus intervals; in another, infrequently occurring targets in a reaction-time task were interspread with frequent background stimuli; and, in a third, noise bursts or tones were delivered in a random sequence at either 70 or 100 dB SPL.

The sensitivity of some of the ERP components in distinguishing schizophrenics from controls depended on the conditions under which the component was elicited. N1 amplitude was smaller in the schizophrenics than in the controls after longer interstimulus intervals. P2 amplitude was smaller in the schizophrenics only at higher stimulus intensities. P2 latency was shorter in schizophrenics except in the paradigm that varied interstimulus intervals. P3 amplitude, however, was much smaller in schizophrenics than controls regardless of whether P3 was elicited by targets in a task or was elicited by 100 dB SPL stimuli. The loud stimuli also elicited blink reflexes that coincided with N1, but these reflexes did not vary by clinical group. Neither the amplitude of the slow wave following targets nor the sustained potential that accompanies prolonged auditory stimuli differed between schizophrenics and controls.

Résumé

Quinze malades schizophrènes et 15 sujets de contrôle appariés par l'âge ont été comparés en utilisant 3 paradigmes de potentiels auditifs liés aux événements (ERPs) qui mettent en évidence toute une série de composantes. Dans l'un des paradigmes, les sons sont donnés à 0,75, 2,25 et 6,75 sec d'intervalles inter-stimulus; dans un autre, des cibles survenant de façon peu fréquente dans une tâche de temps de réaction ont été intercalées à des stimuli de base fréquents; enfin dans le troisième, des bouffées de bruits ou de sons sont donnés en séquences aléatoires à soit 70 soit 100 dB SPL. La sensibilité de certaines des composantes du ERP dans la discrimination des schizophrènes et des contrôles dépend des conditions dans lesquelles ces composantes sont mises en évidence. L'amplitude de N1 est plus faible chez les schizophrènes que chez les contrôles après des intervalles inter-stimuli plus longs. L'amplitude de P2 est plus faible chez les schizophrènes mais seulement pour des intensités plus élevées de stimulation. La latence de P2 est plus courte chez les schizophrènes sauf dans le paradigme qui fait varier les intervalles inter-stimuli. L'amplitude de P3, cependant, est beaucoup plus faible chez les schizophrènes que chez les contrôles, indépendamment du fait que P3 soit évoqué par des cibles à l'intérieur d'une tâche ou par des stimuli de 100 dB SPL. Les stimuli forts font également apparaître des réflexes de clignements qui coïncident avec N1, mais ces réflexes ne varient pas en fonction du groupe clinique. Ni l'amplitude de l'onde lente qui suit les cibles, ni les potentiels durables qui accompagnent les stimuli auditifs prolongés ne diffèrent entre les schizophrènes et les contrôles.

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    This investigation was supported by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration and NIMH Specialized Research Center Grant MH 30854. A preliminary report of these results was presented at the NATO Conference on Event-Related Potentials in Man, Konstanz, G.F.R., August 28, 1978.

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