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Mismatch negativity and low frequency oscillations in schizophrenia families

L Elliot Hong1, Lauren V Moran, Xiaoming Du

  • 1Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21228, USA. ehong@mprc.umaryland.edu

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|May 1, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Theta-alpha oscillations are linked to MMN in healthy individuals. This study investigated their role in schizophrenia, finding altered low-frequency oscillations in patients and a heritable relationship in families.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Theta-alpha range oscillations are linked to Mismatch Negativity (MMN) in healthy individuals.
  • Previous research indicates high heritability of theta-alpha activity in schizophrenia patient families.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if theta-alpha activities contribute to MMN in schizophrenia patients and their family members.
  • To investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings of MMN abnormalities in schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Compared MMN and single-trial oscillations during MMN.
  • Included 95 patients, 75 first-degree relatives, 87 controls, and 34 subjects with schizophrenia spectrum personality (SSP) traits.

Main Results:

  • MMN was reduced in patients and SSP subjects, but not relatives.
  • Augmented low-frequency oscillations (1-20 Hz) were observed in patients.
  • Theta-alpha oscillations correlated strongly with MMN in controls and relatives, while delta oscillations correlated in schizophrenia and SSP trait subjects.
  • MMN and theta-alpha oscillations were found to be heritable traits.

Conclusions:

  • Low-frequency oscillations show a strong relationship with MMN, which is altered in schizophrenia.
  • Schizophrenia patients exhibit increased low-frequency activity during MMN paradigms.
  • Further investigation of low-frequency oscillations is encouraged to understand MMN abnormalities in schizophrenia.

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