Cognitive function mediates the relationship between visual contrast sensitivity and functional outcome in schizophrenia. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herrera, Shaynna N.; Zemon, Vance; Revheim, Nadine; Silipo, Gail; Gordon, James; Butler, Pamela D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 144(2022)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Vision -- Cognition -- Visual pathways -- Visual perception -- Independent living -- Mediation analysis; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in visual contrast processing, though less is known about how these deficits impact neurocognition and functional outcomes. This study investigated effects of contrast sensitivity (CS) on cognition and capacity for independent living in schizophrenia. Methods : Participants were 58 patients with schizophrenia ( n = 49) and schizoaffective disorder ( n = 9). Patients completed a psychophysical paradigm to obtain CS with stimuli consisting of grating patterns of low (0.5 and 1 cycles/degree) and high spatial frequencies (4, 7, 21 cycles/degree). Patients completed the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Third Edition to assess cognition, and the problem-solving factor of the Independent Living Scales to assess functional capacity. We computed bivariate correlation coefficients for all pairs of variables and tested mediation models with CS to low (CS–LSF) and high spatial frequencies (CS–HSF) as predictors, cognitive measures as mediators, and capacity for independent living as an outcome. Results: Cognition mediated the relationship between CS and independent living with CS–LSF a stronger predictor than CS–HSF. Mediation effects were strongest for perceptual organization and memory-related domains. In an expanded moderated mediation model, CS–HSF was found to be a significant predictor of independent living through perceptual organization as a mediator and CS–LSF as a moderator of this relationship. Conclusion: CS relates to functional capacity in schizophrenia through neurocognition. These relationships may inform novel visual remediation interventions. Highlights: Patients with schizophrenia (sz) show deficits in visual contrast detection. First study to assess pathways from contrast sensitivity to functioning in sz. Contrast sensitivity impacts cognition and functional outcomes in sz. Novel treatments such as remediation of contrast detection may be helpful.