Deficits in error-monitoring by college students with schizotypal traits: an event-related potential study

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 31;10(3):e0122861. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122861. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate deficits in error-monitoring by college students with schizotypal traits. Scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) were used to categorize the participants into schizotypal-trait (n = 17) and normal control (n = 20) groups. The error-monitoring abilities of the participants were evaluated using the Simon task, which consists of congruent (locations of stimulus and response are the same) and incongruent (locations of stimulus and response are different) conditions. The schizotypal-trait group committed more errors on the Simon task and exhibited smaller error-related negativity (ERN) amplitudes than did the control group. Additionally, ERN amplitude measured at FCz was negatively correlated with the error rate on the Simon task in the schizotypal-trait group but not in the control group. The two groups did not differ in terms of correct-related potentials (CRN), error positivity (Pe) and correct-related positivity (Pc) amplitudes. The present results indicate that individuals with schizotypal traits have deficits in error-monitoring and that reduced ERN amplitudes may represent a biological marker of schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Evoked Potentials*
  • Humans
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Universities
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Brain Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Sciene, ICT and Future Planning (NRF-2006-2005055). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.