Pursuit gain and saccadic intrusions in first-degree relatives of probands with schizophrenia

Article Abstract:

Several investigations have linked eye-movement dysfunction (EMD) with schizophrenia. Schizophrenics often demonstrate low pursuit gain (the accuracy with which the eye can track target velocity) and excessive anticipatory saccades (ASs) during smooth eye pursuit tasks. Saccades are the fastest eye movements for shifting gaze (e.g. to correct tracking errors). To further evaluate these findings, 26 schizophrenic patients (probands) aged 18 to 45 years, and 61 of their first-degree relatives (aged 16 to 72 years) were studied. Thirty-eight healthy nonrelated volunteers served as a control group. Diagnostic interviews revealed that 12 of the 61 relatives were within the schizophrenia spectrum, i.e. were schizophrenic or had a related personality disorder. All study subjects underwent several laboratory trials to evaluate EMD. Data analysis revealed that nonspectrum relatives had significantly lower pursuit gain than controls. Spectrum relatives had significantly lower pursuit gain than the combined control and nonspectrum groups. Probands demonstrated significantly less accurate pursuit than all other groups. An unexpected finding was that probands did not differ from the other three groups in terms of AS frequency. However, all the probands were being treated with neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medication. Since the nonmedicated spectrum relatives demonstrated significant differences in AS frequencies when compared to nonspectrum relatives and controls, it was posited that neuroleptics affect AS frequencies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Eye, Neuro-ophthalmology, Neuroophthalmology, Schizophrenia, Ocular motility disorders

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Clinical versus mechanical prediction: A meta-analysis

Article Abstract:

Results of a meta-analysis on studies comparing clinical and mechanical prediction are presented.Mechanical-prediction methods were found to be around 10% more accurate than clinical predictions.

Psychological tests

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