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Increased temporal patterns in choice responding and altered cognitive processes in schizophrenia and mania
1Neurocognitive Development Laboratory, University of Southern California, CEM Building, Room 206, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. mlyon@usc.edu
Psychopharmacology
|October 25, 2003
Summary
The THEME method reveals that schizophrenia and mania patients exhibit abnormal time-pattern (T-pattern) behavior. Clozapine (CLZ) treatment reduced these T-patterns and stereotyped responding in patients.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The THEME method offers an objective approach to assessing behavioral disturbances.
- Time-determined patterns (T-patterns) are crucial for understanding cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the THEME method's utility in differentiating psychiatric disorders.
- To compare T-patterns in schizophrenia, mood, schizoaffective, and anxiety disorders against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-choice button-pressing task to elicit T-patterns.
- Employed knowledge-of-results (K) and coin reinforcements (RF).
- Analyzed T-patterns based on diagnosis, drug treatment, and gender.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenic and manic patients displayed significantly more complex T-patterns than controls.
- Repetitive (stereotyped) responding was observed in patients but not controls.
- Clozapine (CLZ) decreased T-pattern complexity and stereotypy but also reduced response growth to coin RF.
Conclusions:
- Elevated T-patterns may indicate a shared temporal symptom in schizophrenia and mania.
- Clozapine's impact on T-patterns suggests non-D2 receptor mechanisms may be involved.
- The THEME method shows promise for identifying and understanding behavioral markers in psychiatric conditions.