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Working Memory and Attention Influence Antisaccade Error Rate in Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2018

Elizabeth H.X. Thomas Open the ORCID record for Elizabeth H.X. Thomas [Opens in a new window] ,
Susan L. Rossell ,
Jessica B. Myles ,
Eric J. Tan Open the ORCID record for Eric J. Tan [Opens in a new window] ,
Erica Neill ,
Sean P. Carruthers Open the ORCID record for Sean P. Carruthers [Opens in a new window] ,
Philip J. Sumner ,
Kiymet Bozaoglu  and
Caroline Gurvich
Elizabeth H.X. Thomas*
Affiliation:
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Susan L. Rossell
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia St Vincent’s Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Jessica B. Myles
Affiliation:
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Eric J. Tan
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia St Vincent’s Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Erica Neill
Affiliation:
St Vincent’s Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
Sean P. Carruthers
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
Philip J. Sumner
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia
Kiymet Bozaoglu
Affiliation:
Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Caroline Gurvich
Affiliation:
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Elizabeth H.X. Thomas, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Level 4, 607 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. E-mail: elizabeth.thomas@monash.edu
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Abstract

Objectives: Antisaccade error rate has been proposed to be one of the most promising endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Increased error rate in patients has been associated with working memory, attention and other executive function impairments. The relationship between antisaccade error rate and other neuropsychological processes in patients compared to healthy controls has not been explored in depth. This study aimed to replicate the finding of heightened antisaccade error rate in patients and determine which cognitive processes were most strongly associated with antisaccade error rate in both patients and controls. In addition, the study investigated whether different antisaccade task paradigms engage different cognitive processes. Methods: One hundred and ninety-one participants (54 patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and 137 controls) completed the antisaccade task, which included both gap and step task parameters. Neuropsychological measures were obtained using the MCCB and the Stroop task. Results: The current study replicated a pronounced antisaccade error rate deficit in patients. In patients, working memory variance was most significantly associated with antisaccade errors made during the step condition, while attentional processes were most associated with errors made during the gap condition. In controls, overall global cognitive performance was most associated with antisaccade rates for both gap and step conditions. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that in schizophrenia patients, but not controls, elevated antisaccade error rate is associated with attention and working memory, but not with global cognitive impairment or psychopathological processes. Our novel findings demonstrate that the gap and step conditions of the antisaccade task engage different cognitive processes. (JINS, 2019, 25, 174–183)

Keywords

SaccadesEye movementsCognitionInhibition (psychology)EndophenotypesMental disorders
Type
Regular Research
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , February 2019 , pp. 174 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2018 

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