Superior temporal gyrus and P300 in schizophrenia: a combined ERP/structural magnetic resonance imaging investigation.
Decrement of the auditory P300 component of the event-related potentials (ERP) is a robust finding in schizophrenic patients and seems to be most pronounced in the left temporal region. Structural MRI studies support the hypothesis that regional structural brain differences in this patient group include reduced volume in temporal lobe structures. The aim of the presented study was to investigate the possible gray matter volume reductions in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the P300 reduction and left <right topographic asymmetry in schizophrenic patients. Therefore, in 50 male schizophrenic patients and 50 age- and educational level-matched male controls, auditory ERPs and structural MRI measurements of the gray matter volume of the STG were assessed. In the group of patients, the psychopathological symptom of thought disorder was correlated with the electrode site T3 and underlying gray matter of the left posterior superior temporal gyrus. The subgroup of patients with pronounced negative symptoms was analyzed with respect to ERP and structural MRI measurements. Our data revealed no evidence for a reduction of P300 amplitude or left STG gray matter volume in schizophrenic patients. However, the higher amount of thought disorders was related to a small T3 amplitude. No associations between the electrophysiological and structural measurements could be detected. There were also no significant reductions of ERP and MRI measurements within the subgroup of patients with pronounced negative symptoms.
Meisenzahl
E M
EM
Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatrische Klinik der LMU München, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80 336, Munich, Germany. emeisen@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
Frodl
T
T
Müller
D
D
Schmitt
G
G
Gallinat
J
J
Zetzsche
T
T
Marcuse
A
A
Juckel
G
G
Leinsinger
G
G
Hahn
K
K
Möller
H J
HJ
Hegerl
U
U
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*