Work

Long-range temporal correlations in violence and psychosis: An EEG-based study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A subgroup of individuals with psychosis have increased violence risk. Long-range temporal correlations (LRTC) in electroencephalography (EEG) reflect neural dynamics, but their relevance to violence risk remains unclear. Resting-state EEG was collected from four groups: healthy controls (HC, n =134), individuals with psychosis and violence history (violent-PSY, n =16), individuals with psychosis without such history (nonviolent-PSY, n =38), and violent individuals without psychosis (violent non-PSY, n =23). LRTC was quantified using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) of mean and peak amplitude dynamics in alpha and beta bands during eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open (EO) conditions, yielding eight metrics: LRTC for mean and peak amplitudes of alpha EC , beta EC , alpha EO , and beta EO . No significant group differences in LRTC were observed in eyes-open conditions (all p > 0.05). In contrast, eyes-close conditions showed significantly reduced LRTC in the nonviolent-PSY group relative to controls for mean alpha EC , peak alpha EC , and mean beta EC (all p < 0.05; Cohen’s d’s = 0.49 - 0.59). No significant LRTC difference emerged between violent and nonviolent psychosis groups. Other group comparisons were non-significant. Lower alpha-band LRTC was associated with greater symptom severity, including higher total PANSS and depressive subscale scores (all p < 0.05; r’s = −0.26 to −0.28). LRTC was reduced in the nonviolent-PSY group compared to controls but not significantly altered in the violent-PSY group. Nor did it differentiate between psychosis with or without violence history. Although further studies are needed, these findings provide limited support for LRTC as a marker of violence propensity in psychosis. • Long-range temporal correlations (LRTC) of the electroencephalography (EEG) reflects the temporal structure of spontaneous brain activity. • We examined LRTC in individuals with and without psychosis, stratified by history of serious violence. • Nonviolent individuals with psychosis showed reduced LRTC compared to healthy controls. • Lower alpha-band LRTC was significantly associated with PANSS scores. • LRTC was reduced in individuals with psychotic disorders but did not distinguish between individuals with and without a history of violence.

Source: Journal of Psychiatric Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.11.013