Social cognitive endophenotypes in schizophrenia: A study comparing first episode schizophrenia patients and, individuals at clinical- and familial- 'at-risk' for psychosis.

Impairments in specific domains of social cognition have been suggested as possible endophenotypes for schizophrenia and clinical markers for accurate identification of 'at-risk' (AR) states. Aim of the present study was to find out whether performance on social cognition tasks will distinguish 'clinical at-risk (CAR)' and 'familial at-risk (FAR)' individuals from remitted first episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy controls. Fifty in each of these four groups were included for analysis. Schizophrenia psychopathology in FES group was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Theory of mind (ToM; first and second order (SOT and FOT), and faux pas composite (FPC)), attributional bias (AB) and social perception (SP) were assessed using the Social Cognition Rating Tool in Indian Setting (SOCRATIS). Facial emotion recognition task was used to assess emotional-expression recognition (ER). Significant differences in ToM, SP and ER between the four groups were found, even after controlling for performance on various neurocognitive tasks. ToM and SP were identified to follow an endophenotype pattern. While, both ToM and SP classified FES from healthy with large accuracy rates, SP, specifically, distinguished at-risk from disease groups. None of the social cognitive domains accurately classified familial at-risk from clinical at-risk groups. We conclude that social cognitive measures may be used as reliable endophenotype markers for schizophrenia and its sub-domains may be used for valid identification of AR individuals.

Evaluation of spontaneous dense array gamma oscillatory activity and minor physical anomalies as a composite neurodevelopmental endophenotype in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) and gamma oscillatory activity have been proposed as associated endophenotypes in schizophrenia. Combining these endophenotypes to create a composite endophenotype may help identify those at risk for schizophrenia better. The present study aims to investigate MPAs and gamma oscillatory activity in schizophrenia patients, their unaffected first degree relatives and healthy controls and appreciate whether they can be used together as a composite endophenotype. METHODS: This was a cross sectional family study conducted at a tertiary care mental health setup. Ninety participants including schizophrenia patients, their first degree relatives and controls (thirty each) were assessed for MPAs on the Extended Waldrop Scale. All participants underwent an awake, resting 192-channel EEG recording. Spectral power and coherence in 30-100Hz gamma bands were estimated using Welch's averaged periodogram method. One-way ANOVA, chi square test were used for comparing socio-demographic-clinical variables. MANOVA supplemented by one-way ANOVAs (post hoc Tukey HSD) were done for comparison of spectral measures. Pearson's correlation, step-by-step linear discriminant functional and intra-familial correlation analysis were subsequently performed. RESULTS: An endophenotype pattern of finding was found for MPAs in the craniofacial region, the total number of MPAs, spectral power in right temporal region on all bands and in the right parietal region in 50-70Hz and 70-100Hz gamma bands. The three groups were most accurately classified when MPA total score, right temporal 30-50Hz gamma power and right occipital 'intra hemispheric' 50-70Hz gamma coherence were considered together than when considered independently. Significant intra familial correlation was seen for MPA total score and right temporal gamma 30-50Hz power. CONCLUSION: Composite evaluation of two developmentally linked markers i.e. MPAs and gamma spectral measures may prove useful in categorizing schizophrenia and identifying at-risk individuals.

Socio-emotional factors in alcohol dependence.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol-dependent patients are traditionally believed to have insecure attachment styles, higher anger expression, and lower self-esteem. There is a need to study them together. AIM: To understand the relationships amongst various of the socio-emotional factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male patients with Alcohol dependence syndrome and 40 matched healthy controls (General Health Questionnaire-12 score <3) were compared on attachment styles (on Relationship Scale Questionnaire), anger domains (on State Trait Anger Expression Inventory), and self-esteem (on Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale). STATISTICS AND ANALYSIS: Comparison using independent samples t test and chi square test; correlation using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Patients had significantly higher anger expression, 'anger in' and 'anger out,' and lower self-esteem than healthy controls. Severity of alcohol dependence had significant correlation with 'anger out,' and self-esteem had significant negative correlation with anger expression. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the socio-emotional factors studied are developmentally linked to each other.

Schneiderian first rank symptoms and gamma oscillatory activity in neuroleptic naïve first episode schizophrenia: a 192 channel EEG study.

OBJECTIVE: Schneiderian first-rank symptoms (FRS) and abnormal EEG gamma activity in schizophrenia have been reported independently to have a neurodevelopmental basis. We aimed to investigate spontaneous gamma power in two groups of first episode schizophrenia patients (those who experience FRS and those who do not). METHODS: A comparative hospital based study having 37neuroleptic naïve male patients with schizophrenia divided into two groups-FRS(+) and FRS(-) groups based on the presence of FRS. Thirty age, sex, education and handedness matched individuals served as controls (N). All participants underwent a 192-channel resting Electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Gamma spectral power was calculated for low- (30-50 Hz) and high-gamma 1 & 2 (51-70 and 71-100 Hz) bands. Spectral power was compared between three groups using MANOVA and supplementary one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni test controlling for multiple comparisons. Linear regression was used to identifying predictor variables for FRS. Pearson correlation coefficient was computed between spectral power parameters and various clinical variables. RESULTS: Significantly higher high gamma band-1 power was observed over right frontal (p<0.05), parietal (p<0.05) and temporal (p<0.05) regions in FRS(+) than FRS(-) group and normal controls. Right parietal high gamma-1 power and paranoid cluster on PANSS significantly predicted number of FRS in total schizophrenia patients; paranoid cluster on PANSS showed significant correlation with number of FRS in FRS(+) group. CONCLUSION: Findings of our study add to the evidence that areas contained within the hetero modal association cortex are associated with FRS. The study findings also strengthen the neurodevelopmental basis of FRS in schizophrenia.

Sporadic and familial subgroups of schizophrenia do not differ on dense array spontaneous gamma oscillatory activity.

Genetic variations and developmental insults independently have been proposed to underlie aberrant gamma activity in schizophrenia. We investigated differences in spectral power in gamma (30-100Hz) frequency in patients with familial and sporadic schizophrenia. Subjects underwent resting-awake EEG recording on 192 channels. The two patient subgroups did not significantly differ in any of the gamma bands and regions. We conclude that complex gene-environment interactions are responsible for the limited power of familial-sporadic distinction in schizophrenia.