title: Specific cognitive training normalizes auditory sensory gating in schizophrenia: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ratio of scalp-recorded brain responses occurring 50 msec after paired clicks (S2-evoked P50/S1-evoked P50) serves as a measure of sensory gating. An abnormally large ratio is commonly found in schizophrenia and is considered as a sign of reduced sensory gating or otherwise dysfunctional organization of the auditory/verbal system as a factor contributing to psychopathology and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. This initial randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of two 4-week, computer-based cognitive training methods that emphasize either auditory discrimination and verbal memory or a broader range of cognitive functions in schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine schizophrenia patients (ICD-F20.0 diagnosis) were assigned to Cognitive Exercises (CE) or Cognitive Package (Cogpack). The M50, the magnetoencephalographic analogue of electroencephalographic P50, and performance on verbal learning and memory tests were used to evaluate training effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As expected, patients exhibited higher pretreatment gating ratios than 28 age-matched healthy comparison participants. Gating ratios decreased after CE but not after Cogpack. Cognitive test performance improved more after CE than after Cogpack.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriately specific psychological training changes the neural performance in schizophrenia, normalizing sensory and cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Tzvetan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: Todor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jordanov
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elbert
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Merzenich
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult