Self-face recognition and theory of mind in patients with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives.
OBJECTIVE
The hypothesized relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and self-face recognition as well as its potential genetic associations has not been previously explored in patients with schizophrenia and in first-degree relatives with schizotypal personality traits.


METHODS
Ten patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 10 of their first-degree relatives and 10 healthy controls were included. To assess self-face recognition (SFR), participants were presented images of faces of themselves and others and asked to make rapid 'unfamiliar', 'familiar' and 'self' judgments. As a measure of ToM, subjects were administered the Revised Mind in the Eyes Test (MET [Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Hill, J., Raste, Y., and Plumb, I., 2001. The "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test revised version: a study with normal adults, and adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 42(2), 241-251.]). Schizotypal characteristics in relatives and controls were assessed using a modified version of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ [Raine, A., 1991. The SPQ: a scale for the assessment of schizotypal personality based on DSM-III-R criteria. Schizophrenia Bulletin 17(4), 555-564.]).


RESULTS
Patients took longer and were less accurate on the SFR task than their relatives who in turn performed worse than healthy controls. Specific ToM deficits in schizophrenia were replicated. There was a relationship between accuracy rates on the MET and SFR tasks. High levels of schizotypal traits such as social anxiety, constricted affect and no close friends were important for both tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
Face recognition deficits and ToM deficits in schizophrenia are apparent. The critical influence of high levels of select schizotypal traits is also highlighted. A deficit in relatives of schizophrenia patients raises the possibility that ToM and face recognition deficits may be candidate endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Support for the hypothesized link between ToM and face recognition is provided.
Irani
Farzin
F
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. fi24@drexel.edu
Platek
Steven M
SM
Panyavin
Ivan S
IS
Calkins
Monica E
ME
Kohler
Christian
C
Siegel
Steven J
SJ
Schachter
Michael
M
Gur
Raquel E
RE
Gur
Ruben C
RC
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires