Striatal dysfunction during reversal learning in unmedicated schizophrenia patients.

ABSTRACT: Subjects with schizophrenia are impaired at reinforcement-driven reversal learning from as early as their first episode. The neurobiological basis of this deficit is unknown. We obtained behavioral and fMRI data in 24 unmedicated, primarily first episode, schizophrenia patients and 24 age-, IQ- and gender-matched healthy controls during a reversal learning task. We supplemented our fMRI analysis, focusing on learning from prediction errors, with detailed computational modeling to probe task solving strategy including an ability to deploy an internal goal directed model of the task. Patients displayed reduced functional activation in the ventral striatum (VS) elicited by prediction errors. However, modeling task performance revealed that a subgroup did not adjust their behavior according to

SUBMITTER: Schlagenhauf F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3991847 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature