N170 and N250 in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) commonly involve deficits in social cognition and facial processing. The N170 and N250 event-related potentials (ERP), indexing perceptual and recognition stages of face processing respectively, have shown alterations in schizophrenia. Given diagnostic advances, an updated analysis is necessary to examine these ERP across SSD, including high-risk individuals and those exhibiting schizotypal traits.

To update previous meta-analysis findings by evaluating the effects of SSD on N170 and N250 amplitude and latency.

Studies comparing N170 and N250 amplitude and latency between individuals with SSD and healthy controls were identified through a literature search, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations.

Results showed a small reduction in N170 amplitudes in SSD (n = 50), statistically significant in SSD but not in schizotypy or high-risk individuals. A small but significant difference was also found for N170 latency, whereas no significant effects were observed for N250 amplitude or latency.

Findings indicate reduced N170 amplitudes and subtle latency alterations in SSD, reflecting early-stage visual perceptual deficits, with no consistent differences observed for N250 amplitude or latency, suggesting relative preservation of later face processing stages. The main limitation of this work is the high heterogeneity across studies analysed.