Time estimation in schizophrenia: an fMRI study at adjusted levels of difficulty

fMRI was performed in nine male schizophrenia patients and 15 healthy male controls during an auditory time estimation (timing), a frequency (i.e, pit ch) discrimination task, and rest. An adaptive psychophysical approach, the weighted up-down method, was used to adjust individual performance to a le vel of 75% probability for correct answers. Although performing on the same level of individual difficulty, schizophrenia patients revealed less activ ations in prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus, comparing time vs rest. Ti ming specific differences (i.e. timing vs pitch) between patients and contr ols were found in the posterior putamen, anterior thalamus, and right media l prefrontal cortex, with patients showing relative hypoactivity. Impairmen t in time estimation in schizophrenia might be mediated by specific fronto- thalamo-striatal dysfunction. NeuroReport 12:313-316 (C) 2001 Lippincon Wil liams & Wilkins.