Theory of mind and motion perception in schizophrenia.
This study investigated the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) deficits and visual perception in patients with schizophrenia (N=52; 17 remitted and unmedicated) compared with healthy controls (N=30). ToM was assessed with the Eyes Test, which asked participants to choose which of 4 words best described the mental state of a person whose eyes were depicted in a photograph. Visual perception was evaluated with form and motion coherence threshold measurements. Results revealed that patients with schizophrenia (both remitted and nonremitted) showed deficits on the Eyes Test and the motion coherence task. ToM dysfunctions were associated with higher motion coherence thresholds and more severe negative symptoms. This suggests that ToM deficits are related to motion perception dysfunctions, which indicates a possible role of motion-sensitive areas in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Kelemen
Oguz
O
Psychiatry Center, Bács-Kiskun County Hospital, Kecskemét, Hungary.
Erdélyi
Rita
R
Pataki
Ilona
I
Benedek
György
G
Janka
Zoltán
Z
Kéri
Szabolcs
S
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic