EVENT-RELATED POTENTIALS (ERPS) AS INDICATORS OF RISK FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

Evidence is reviewed concerning the viability of cognitive event-relat ed potential (ERP) indices to serve as psychophysiological markers for liability to schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related disorders. Metho dologic problems that hinder the establishment of ERPs as such markers are also detailed. The ERP data from prospective high-risk and family - transmission paradigms were subjected to criteria that have been use d to establish the marker status of a psychobiological variable. It is concluded that (1) there is a clear need for more studies of ERP comp onent stability and of transmission of ERF parameters within normal fa milies; (2) multiple tasks (in addition to the oddball experiment) mus t be used to probe the range of information-processing deficits in the schizophrenic syndrome; (3) investigators should pay greater attentio n to the scalp distribution of ERP components; and (4) profiles of mul tiple ERP indices may be required to enhance the probability of achiev ing diagnostic specificity.