Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Association between retinal and cortical visual electrophysiological impairments in schizophrenia
Irving Remy1, Florent Bernardin1, Fabienne Ligier1
1From the Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy, Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie d'Adultes du Grand Nancy, Laxou, France (Remy, Bernardin, Krieg, Schwan, Schwitzer, Laprévote); the INSERM U1114, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Département de Psychiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France (Remy, Bernardin, Krieg, Laprévote); the Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Laxou, France (Ligier); the Université de Lorraine, EA 4360 APEMAC, Equipe MICS, Nancy, France (Ligier); the Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRAN, UMR 7039, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France (Maillard); the Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy, France (Maillard); the Université de Lorraine, IADI, INSERM U1254, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France (Schwan, Schwitzer); BioSerenity, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, ICM-IPEPS, Paris, France (Remy).
Background:
Electrophysiological impairments in the magnocellular visual system have been reported among patients with schizophrenia, but previous theories proposed that these deficits may begin in the retina. We therefore sought to evaluate the potential contribution of the retina by comparing retinal and cortical visual electrophysiological impairments between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.
Methods:
We recruited patients with schizophrenia and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We recorded the P100 amplitude and latency using electroencephalography (EEG) while projecting low (0.5 cycles/degree) or high (15 cycles/degree) spatial frequency gratings at a temporal frequency of 0 Hz or 8 Hz. We compared the P100 results with previous results for retinal ganglion cell activity (N95) in these participants. We analyzed data using repeated-measures analysis of variance and correlation analyses.
Results:
We recruited 21 patients with schizophrenia and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Results showed decreased P100 amplitude and increased P100 latency among patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Analyses reported the main effects of spatial and temporal frequency but no interaction effects of spatial or temporal frequency by group. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated a positive association between P100 latency and previous retinal results for N95 latency in the schizophrenia group (p < 0.05).
Discussion:
Alterations in the P100 wave among patients with schizophrenia are consistent with the deficits in early visual cortical processing shown in the literature. These deficits do not seem to correspond to an isolated magnocellular deficit but appear to be associated with previous retinal measurements. Such an association emphasizes the role of the retina in the occurrence of visual cortical abnormalities in schizophrenia. Studies with coupled electroretinography-EEG measurements are now required to further explore these findings.
Clinical Trials Registration:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02864680.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

