Deficits in Early Stages of Face Processing in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of the XXXX Component.

@entity7286 @entity1
INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is associated with deficits in face and affect recognition, which contribute to broader social functioning deficits. The present aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of early face processing in schizophrenia, as indexed by the @entity7286 event-related potential component. METHODS: Twelve studies (n = 328 @entity1 with schizophrenia, n = 330 healthy controls) of the @entity7286 component during face processing were evaluated by calculating Cohen's d for each study and overall weighted mean effect size (ES). In additional exploratory analyses, moderating influences of method and design were investigated, and the @entity7286 component during face processing was evaluated based on valence: 5 studies (n = 225 @entity1 , n = 225 controls) included neutral stimuli, 5 studies (n = 225 @entity1 , n = 225 controls) included happy stimuli, and 4 studies (n = 209 @entity1 , n = 209 controls) included fearful stimuli. RESULTS: The amplitude of the @entity7286 to face stimuli was smaller in @entity1 relative to controls (ES = .41, P < .01). Methodological or design differences did not account for heterogeneity in ES. When split by valence, results indicate smaller @entity7286 in @entity1 relative to control subjects in response to neutral (ES = .32, P < .001) and happy (ES = .21, P < .05) stimuli, whereas there was no difference in response to fearful faces (ES = .09, P > .05). DISCUSSION: The results indicate that @entity7286 amplitude in response to faces is smaller in @entity1 with schizophrenia, showing that socially relevant visual processing deficits begin earlier in processing than previously suggested. Additionally, the exploratory analyses suggest emotional specificity in these deficits. Ramifications for our understanding of face processing deficits and treatment development are discussed.
