Mismatch Negativity Indices as a Prognostic Factor for Remission in Schizophrenia

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is known to be associated with neuro-cognition and functional outcomes. Remission and recovery rates are related to the neuro-cognition of patients with schizophrenia. The present study explored the relationship of MMN with remission in patients with schizophrenia.

Forty patients with schizophrenia were recruited and divided into two groups, with or without remission, according to the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria (RSWGcr). Symptom severity (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS), cognitive function, functional outcome, and MMN of the patients were evaluated. A regression analysis was used to identify the factors that significantly predicted symptom improvement and remission including MMN at frontal site assessed at baseline, and anticipated clinical variables as predictive factors.

MMN amplitudes in frontal sites were further decreased in the groups without remission compared to the groups with remission. MMN amplitude was significantly correlated with measures of symptom change and functional outcome measurements in patients with schizophrenia. Regression analysis revealed that symptom severity and MMN significantly predicted remission in patients with schizophrenia. Symptom improvement significantly predicted PANSS at baseline, illness duration, and antipsychotic dose, as did MMN amplitude at frontal site.

Our results suggest that MMN reflected symptom improvement and remission in patients with schizophrenia. MMN indices appear to be promising candidates as predictive factors for schizophrenia remission.