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Neurophysiological Markers of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Patients with Schizophrenia: An EEG Microstates Study
Shaobing Li1, Ruxin Hu1, Huiming Yan1
1Institute of Mental Health of Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China.
Abstract:
Alterations in the temporal characteristics of EEG microstates in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) have been repeatedly found in previous studies. Nevertheless, altered temporal characteristics of EEG microstates in auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) SCZ are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether SCZ patients with sAVHs exhibit abnormal EEG microstates. We analyzed high-density electroencephalography data that from 79 SCZ patients, including 38 severe AVHs patients (sAVH group), 17 moderate auditory verbal hallucinations patients (mid-AVH group), and 24 without auditory verbal hallucinations patients (non-AVH group). Microstates were compared between three groups. Microstate C exhibited significant differences in duration and coverage and microstate B exhibited significant differences in occurrence between patients with sAVHs and without AVHs. There was a significant negative correlation between the coverage in microstate C and the severity of sAVH. Microstate C in duration, microstate B in occurrence were efficient in detecting sAVH patients. The decreased class C microstates in duration and coverage and increased class B microstates in occurrence may contribute to the severity of symptoms in AVH patients. Furthermore, we have identified that microstates C could serve as potential neurophysiological markers for detecting AVHs in SCZ patients. These results can provide potential avenues for therapeutic intervention of AVHs.
Insights
Schizophrenia patients with severe auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) show distinct EEG microstate alterations. Specifically, changes in microstate C duration/coverage and microstate B occurrence may indicate AVH severity and aid detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Previous research indicates altered temporal EEG microstate characteristics in schizophrenia (SCZ).
- The specific impact of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) on these microstates in SCZ remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate EEG microstate abnormalities in SCZ patients experiencing AVHs.
- To determine if specific microstate temporal dynamics differentiate SCZ patients with and without AVHs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-density electroencephalography (EEG) data from 79 SCZ patients.
- Patients were categorized into severe AVHs (sAVH), moderate AVH (mid-AVH), and no AVH groups.
- Comparison of EEG microstate parameters (duration, coverage, occurrence) across the three groups.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in microstate C duration and coverage, and microstate B occurrence were observed between sAVH and non-AVH groups.
- A negative correlation was found between microstate C coverage and AVH severity.
- Microstate C duration and microstate B occurrence showed efficiency in detecting sAVH patients.
Conclusions:
- Decreased microstate C duration/coverage and increased microstate B occurrence may correlate with AVH symptom severity in SCZ.
- Microstate C alterations show potential as neurophysiological markers for detecting AVHs in SCZ.
- Findings suggest potential targets for therapeutic interventions for AVHs in schizophrenia.
