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Reduced contextual effects on visual contrast perception in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2015

M.-P. Schallmo ,
S. R. Sponheim  and
C. A. Olman
M.-P. Schallmo*
Affiliation:
Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
S. R. Sponheim
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
C. A. Olman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: M.-P. Schallmo, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (Email: schal110@umn.edu)
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Abstract

Background.

The salience of a visual stimulus is often reduced by nearby stimuli, an effect known as surround suppression of perceived contrast, which may help in locating the borders of an object. Weaker surround suppression has been observed in schizophrenia but it is unclear whether this abnormality is present in other mental disorders with similar symptomatology, or is evident in people with genetic liability for schizophrenia.

Method.

By examining surround suppression among subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder, their unaffected biological relatives and healthy controls we sought to determine whether diminished surround suppression was specific to schizophrenia, and if subjects with a genetic risk for either disorder would show similar deficits. Measuring perceived contrast in different surround conditions also allowed us to investigate how this suppression depends on the similarity of target and surrounding stimuli.

Results.

Surround suppression was weaker among schizophrenia patients regardless of surround configuration. Subjects with bipolar affective disorder showed an intermediate deficit, with stronger suppression than in schizophrenia but weaker than control subjects. Surround suppression was normal in relatives of both patient groups. Findings support a deficit in broadly tuned (rather than sharply orientation- or direction-selective) suppression mechanisms.

Conclusions.

Weak broadly tuned suppression during visual perception is evident in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, consistent with impaired gain control related to the clinical expression of these conditions.

Keywords

Contextual modulationgain controlgenetic liabilitysurround suppressionunaffected relatives
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 16 , December 2015 , pp. 3527 - 3537
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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