title: Nonlinear analysis of electroencephalogram at rest and during cognitive tasks in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the large number of studies on schizophrenia, a full understanding of its core pathology still eludes us. The application of the nonlinear theory of electroencephalography (EEG) analysis provides an interesting tool to differentiate between physiologic conditions (e.g., resting state and mathematical task) and normal and pathologic brain activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate nonlinear EEG activity in patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recorded 19-lead EEGs in patients with stable schizophrenia and healthy controls under 4 different conditions: eyes closed, eyes open, forward counting and backward counting. A nonlinear measure of complexity was calculated by means of correlation dimension (D2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 17 patients and 17 controls in our analysis. Comparing the 2 populations, we observed greater D2 values in the patient group. In controls, increased D2 values were observed during active states (eyes open and the 2 cognitive tasks) compared with baseline conditions. This increase of brain complexity, which can be interpreted as an increase of information processing and integration, was not preserved in the patient population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with schizophrenia were taking antipsychotic medications, so the presence of medication effects cannot be excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that patients with schizophrenia present changes in brain activity compared with healthy controls, and this pathologic alteration can be successfully studied with nonlinear EEG analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin Medical School, and National Institute of Neuroscience, Turin, Italy. elisa.carlino@unito.it
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carlino
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sigaudo
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollo
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Tullia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mongini
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castagna
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vighetti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rocca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*