Work

Metacognition in Early Phase Psychosis: Toward Understanding Neural Substrates

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Individuals in the early phases of psychotic illness have disturbed metacognitive capacity, which has been linked to a number of poor outcomes. Little is known, however, about the neural systems associated with metacognition in this population. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the neuroanatomical correlates of metacognition. We anticipated that higher levels of metacognition may be dependent upon gray matter density (GMD) of regions within the prefrontal cortex. Examining whole-brain structure in 25 individuals with early phase psychosis, we found positive correlations between increased medial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum GMD and higher metacognition. These findings represent an important step in understanding the path through which the biological correlates of psychotic illness may culminate into poor metacognition and, ultimately, disrupted functioning. Such a path will serve to validate and promote metacognition as a viable treatment target in early phase psychosis.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms160714640

Authors: Jenifer Vohs, Tom Hummer, Matthew Yung, Michael Francis, Paul Lysaker, Alan Breier

Institutions: Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, Eskenazi Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499