Color vision impairments in schizophrenia and the role of antipsychotic medication type

Schizophrenia patients (SCZ) demonstrate deficits in many domains of mental functioning, including visual perception. An issue that has been relatively unexplored, in terms of explaining variation in visual function in SCZ, however, is medication use. The present study explored potential medication...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Schizophrenia research 2019-02, Vol.204, p.162-170
Main Authors: Fernandes, Thiago Monteiro Paiva, Silverstein, Steven M., Butler, Pamela D., Kéri, Szabolcs, Santos, Lucas Galdino, Nogueira, Renata Lyra, Santos, Natanael Antonio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects
Antipsychotics
Cambridge Colour Test
Color Perception - drug effects
Color Perception - physiology
Color Perception Tests
Color vision
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Perceptual Disorders - chemically induced
Perceptual Disorders - physiopathology
Psychiatry
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - complications
Schizophrenia - drug therapy
Schizophrenia - physiopathology
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Summary:Schizophrenia patients (SCZ) demonstrate deficits in many domains of mental functioning, including visual perception. An issue that has been relatively unexplored, in terms of explaining variation in visual function in SCZ, however, is medication use. The present study explored potential medication effects on color vision in SCZ, a process that is strongly linked to dopaminergic function in the retina. SCZ patients who had clear-cut either typical (n = 29) or atypical (n = 29) monotherapy, without any other concurrent medication, and a group of age- and gender-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Color vision was assessed by the Cambridge Colour Test, using the Trivector and Ellipse subtests. The results demonstrated impaired color perception in patients with schizophrenia, especially in those receiving typical antipsychotics, but these deficits were subtle and not generalized to all parameters. Our findings are consistent with the known neurophysiology of the retina and visual pathways, and with the effects of dopamine blocking medications, but the results should be carefully interpreted.
ISSN:0920-9964
1573-2509
DOI:10.1016/j.schres.2018.09.002