Retinal ganglion cell dysfunction is correlated with disturbed visual cognition in schizophrenia patients with visual hallucinations

Patients with schizophrenia have altered visual cognition and retinal functions. No studies have explored if retinal anomalies are related to visual cognition and the presence of visual hallucinations (VH). We explored functional responses of the retinal ganglion cells in schizophrenia patients with or without VH and conducted a neuropsychological evaluation to explore the links between cognition and retinal function. The VH+ group showed poorer visual cognition and we found correlations between the amplitudes of the P50 and the N95 waves and visual cognition. Our results provide arguments for a link between retinal dysfunction, impaired visual processing and VH in schizophrenia.

Automated summary

Our study found a link between retinal dysfunction and impaired visual processing in patients with schizophrenia, especially those with visual hallucinations. The group with visual hallucinations showed poorer visual cognition, and there were correlations between the amplitudes of the P50 and N95 waves and visual cognition. These results support the association between retinal anomalies and visual cognition in schizophrenia.