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Differences of temporal dynamics and signal complexity of gamma band oscillations in first-episode psychosis during a working memory task

  • Psychiatry and Preclinical Psychiatric Studies - Original Article
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Abstract

Gamma band oscillations participate in the temporal binding needed to synchronize cortical networks, involved in early sensory and short term memory processes. In earlier studies, alterations of these neurophysiological parameters have been found in psychotic disorders. To date no study has explored the temporal dynamics and signal complexity of gamma band oscillations in first episode psychosis (FEP). To address this issue, gamma band analysis was performed in 15 FEP patients and 18 healthy controls who successfully performed an adapted 2-back working memory task. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were computed to explore the relationship between the cognitive status and gamma oscillation changes over time. Based on regression model results, phase diagrams were constructed and their complexity was estimated using fractal dimension, a mathematical tool that describes shapes as numeric values. When adjusted for gamma values at time lags −3 to −4 ms and −15 to −16 ms, FEP patients displayed significantly higher time-dependent changes than controls, independently of the nature of the task. The present results are consistent with a discoordination of the activity of cortical generators engaged by the stimulus apparition in FEP patients, leading to a global binding deficit. In addition, fractal analysis showing higher complexity of gamma signal, confirmed this deficit. Our results provide evidence for recruitment of supplementary cortical generators as compensating mechanisms and yield further understanding for the pathophysiology cognitive impairments in FEP.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to gratefully thank Prof. A. Prévot for vigilant proofreading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Psychiatric Neuroscience and Psychotherapy, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 5, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland

    Pascal Missonnier & Marco C. G. Merlo

  2. Mental Health Network Fribourg (RFSM), Sector of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for Adults, L’Hôpital 140, Case postale 90, 1633, Marsens, Switzerland

    Pascal Missonnier

  3. Young Adult Psychiatry Unit, Division of Specialized Psychiatry, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva, University Hospitals of Geneva, Rue de Lausanne 67, Genève, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland

    Logos Curtis

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Department of Psychiatry, 300 Medical Plaza, Room 2243, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6968, USA

    Joseph Ventura

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, 3 chemin Pont-Bochet, Thônex, 1226, Geneva, Switzerland

    François R. Herrmann

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  1. Pascal Missonnier
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  2. Logos Curtis
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  4. François R. Herrmann
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Correspondence to Pascal Missonnier.

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This study has not been submitted elsewhere for publication, in whole or in part, and all the authors listed have approved the manuscript. The authors declare that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest.

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Missonnier, P., Curtis, L., Ventura, J. et al. Differences of temporal dynamics and signal complexity of gamma band oscillations in first-episode psychosis during a working memory task. J Neural Transm 124, 853–862 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-017-1728-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-017-1728-5

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