Abstract
Studies of an ERP negative amplitude deflection elicited by a change in a series of auditory stimuli is known as mismatch negativity (MMN). The generation of MMN is impaired in schizophrenia.
Its deficit is associated with lower everyday functioning and may be also interpreted as the marker of progression in schizophrenia. MMN elicited by visual stimuli (vMMN) was described by several research teams, but it has not been investigated in schizophrenia as yet.
Using a motion-direction paradigm, we elicited visual MMN in 24 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. They were compared between groups of patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.
The significantly smaller vMMN indicated an impaired generation of MMN in patients with schizophrenia. In secondary analyses there was an association of vMMN impairment among patients with higher dose of medication, lower level of functioning and the presence of deficit syndrome.