Abstract
Self-evaluation plays an important role in adaptive functioning and is a process that is typically impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Underlying neural mechanisms for this dysfunction may be associated with manifested psychosis. However, the brain substrates underlying this deficit are not well known. The present study used brain blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and gray matter voxel-based morphometry to explore the functional and structural brain correlates of self-evaluation deficits in schizophrenia. Eighteen patients with schizophrenia and 17 healthy controls were recruited and asked to judge whether a set of personality-trait adjectives were appropriate for describing themselves, a familiar other, or whether the adjectives were of positive or negative valence. Patients had slower response times for negative trait attributions than controls did; responses to positive trait attributions were faster than those for negative traits among the patient group, while no differences were observed in the control group. Control subjects showed greater activation within the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) than the patient group during the self-evaluation > semantic positivity-evaluation contrast. Patients showed greater activation mainly within the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCC) as compared to controls for the other-evaluation > semantic positivity-evaluation contrast. Furthermore, gray matter volume was reduced in the MPFC, temporal lobe, cuneus, and the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) among the patient group when compared to controls. The present study adds to previous findings regarding self- and other-referential processing in schizophrenia, providing support for neurobiological models of self-reflection impairment.
Highlights
Self-evaluation refers to a conscious process whereby a decision is made regarding oneself [1], or it can refer to the capacity for consciously reflecting on one’s sense of self
Patients had slower response times for negative trait attributions than controls did; responses to positive trait attributions were faster than those for negative traits among the patient group, while no differences were observed in the control group
Simple effects analyses observed that compared with controls (1289.21±57.48), patients had slower Reaction times (RT) (1,529.96 ± 59.25, p = 0.007) toward negative trait attributions
Summary
Self-evaluation refers to a conscious process whereby a decision is made regarding oneself [1], or it can refer to the capacity for consciously reflecting on one’s sense of self. This process can be drawn from schemata reflecting one’s abilities, traits, and attitudes [2]. Compared to neurocognitive assessments or psychopathology, capacities for self-reflection are better predictors of social competence [3]. For these reasons, studies on impaired self-awareness in schizophrenia have been attracting more and more attention [9]. At present, the neural correlates of impaired self-reflection in schizophrenia are not well understood, and only a handful of studies have examined the neural networks underlying self-evaluation in schizophrenia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
