University of Sussex
Browse
Davies et al. (2018). Impairment of perceptual metacognitive accuracy and reduced prefrontal grey matter volume in first-episode psychosis. Cognitiv.pdf (608.24 kB)

Impairment of perceptual metacognitive accuracy and reduced prefrontal grey matter volume in first-episode psychosis

Download (608.24 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:29 authored by Geoff Davies, Charlotte RaeCharlotte Rae, Sarah Garfinkel, Anil SethAnil Seth, Nick Medford, Hugo CritchleyHugo Critchley, Kathryn GreenwoodKathryn Greenwood
Introduction: Metacognition, or “thinking about thinking”, is a higher-order thought process that allows for the evaluation of perceptual processes for accuracy. Metacognitive accuracy is associated with the grey matter volume (GMV) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area also impacted in schizophrenia. The present study set out to investigate whether deficits in metacognitive accuracy are present in the early stages of psychosis. Methods: Metacognitive accuracy in first-episode psychosis (FEP) was assessed on a perceptual decision making task and their performance compared to matched healthy control participants (N = 18). A novel signal detection theory approach was used to model metacognitive sensitivity independently from objective perceptual performance. A voxel-based morphometry investigation was also conducted on GMV. Results: We found that the FEP group demonstrated significantly worse metacognitive accuracy compared to controls (p?=?.039). Importantly, GMV deficits were also observed in the superior frontal gyrus. The findings suggest a specific deficit in this processing domain to exist at first episode; however, no relationship was found between GMV and metacognitive accuracy. Conclusions: Our findings support the notion that an inability to accurately scrutinise perception may underpin functional deficits observed in later schizophrenia; however, the exact neural basis of metacognitive deficits in FEP remains elusive.

Funding

Sackler Centre - donation; G1813; SACKLER-DR MORTIMER AND THERESA SACKLER FOUNDATION

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Cognitive Neuropsychiatry

ISSN

1354-6805

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Issue

3

Volume

23

Page range

165-179

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-03-16

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-02-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-03-16

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC