title: Neural activity during object perception in schizophrenia patients is associated with illness duration and affective symptoms.
abstract: Abnormalities in visual processes have been observed in schizophrenia patients and have been associated with alteration of the lateral occipital complex and visual cortex. However, the relationship of these abnormalities with clinical symptomatology is largely unknown.
  
  
  
  We investigated the brain activity associated with object perception in schizophrenia. Pictures of common objects were presented to 26 healthy participants (age=36.9; 11 females) and 20 schizophrenia patients (age=39.9; 8 females) in an fMRI study.
  
  
  
  In the healthy sample the presentation of pictures yielded significant activation (pFWE (cluster)<0.001) of the bilateral fusiform gyrus, bilateral lingual gyrus, and bilateral middle occipital gyrus. In patients, the bilateral fusiform gyrus and bilateral lingual gyrus were significantly activated (pFWE (cluster)<0.001), but not so the middle occipital gyrus. However, significant bilateral activation of the middle occipital gyrus (pFWE (cluster)<0.05) was revealed when illness duration was controlled for. Depression was significantly associated with increased activation, and anxiety with decreased activation, of the right middle occipital gyrus and several other brain areas in the patient group. No association with positive or negative symptoms was revealed.
  
  
  
  Illness duration accounts for the weak activation of the middle occipital gyrus in patients during picture presentation. Affective symptoms, but not positive or negative symptoms, influence the activation of the right middle occipital gyrus and other brain areas.
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, CIBERSAM; Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stephan-Otto
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, CIBERSAM; Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Education, Psychology, and Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Italy; Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddi
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, CIBERSAM.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuevas Esteban
authors.affiliation: School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Senior
authors.affiliation: Research and Collaborations, General Electric Healthcare, Buc, France.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Álvarez
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cambra-Martí
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, CIBERSAM.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Usall
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, CIBERSAM. Electronic address: gildas.brebion@pssjd.org.
authors.forename: Gildas
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brébion
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Affective symptoms; Middle occipital gyrus; Object perception; Schizophrenia; fMRI