Long-latency auditory evoked response amplitudes at first episode of psychosis predict six-month recovery in positive symptom severity

Abstract

Predicting treatment response would facilitate individualized medical treatment in first-episode psychosis (FEP). We examined relationships between auditory-evoked M100 and longitudinal change in positive symptoms in FEP. M100 was measured from source-resolved magnetoencephalography and symptoms were assessed at initial contact and six months later. M100 at baseline significantly predicted symptom change. Larger M100 at baseline predicted symptom improvement, as did shorter untreated psychosis. Shorter untreated psychosis also correlated with larger M100, and M100 mediated the effect of untreated psychosis on treatment response. Thus, M100 may provide a proximal and objective index of untreated psychosis and a viable route to individualized medicine.