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Aberrant hyperfocusing in schizophrenia indicated by elevated theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling
Su-Jin An1, Sunah Choi1, Jun Seo Hwang1
1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Electroencephalography revealed abnormal theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling (TGC) in schizophrenia patients, indicating aberrant hyperfocusing. This neural marker correlated with cognitive performance deficits on attention tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with impaired selective attention.
- Aberrant hyperfocusing is a novel framework for understanding attentional deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electroencephalographic (EEG) markers of aberrant hyperfocusing in schizophrenia.
- To examine theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling (TGC) as a potential biomarker.
Main Methods:
- EEG recordings were obtained from 54 schizophrenia patients and 73 healthy controls during an auditory oddball paradigm.
- Theta phase-gamma amplitude coupling (TGC) was calculated in 25 regions of interest.
- TGC values were compared between groups and conditions, and correlated with Trail Making Test (TMT) performance.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients exhibited elevated TGC in the left inferior frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus compared to controls.
- This elevation was observed in the standard attention condition, not the target condition.
- TGC in the left inferior frontal gyrus positively correlated with TMT-A/B completion times.
Conclusions:
- Elevated TGC in attention-related brain regions reflects aberrant hyperfocusing in schizophrenia.
- Aberrant hyperfocusing is linked to behavioral performance on cognitive tasks like the TMT.
- TGC serves as an electrophysiological marker for attentional process impairments in schizophrenia.
