This study examined whether abnormalities in event-related potentials
(ERPs), reported in schizophrenia, extend to patients with schizotypal
personality disorder (SPD). Auditory ERPs in an oddball paradigm were
obtained in 19 SPD patients, 17 schizophrenic patients, and 20 normal
control subjects (NCs). Schizophrenic patients had lower P300 amplitude
than NCs; the P300 amplitude of SPD patients was intermediate, showing a
linear trend but not a significant group difference. P200 amplitudes showed
a similar trend. SPD patients had N100 and N200 amplitudes intermediate to
schizophrenic patients and NCs, without significant group differences.
Results suggest diminished P300 amplitude may not be as prominent in SPD as
in schizophrenia. Studies with larger sample sizes, multiple lead
assessment strategies, and more demanding tasks may further characterize
ERP deficits in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders such as SPD.Abstract Teaser