Neurophysiological Correlates of Executive Function in Bipolar and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Across Affective Contexts

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Background and Hypothesis: Executive functioning (EF) difficulties are common in individuals with bipolar- and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (BD; SZ), and affective contexts can further challenge EF. Electroencephalography (EEG) indicators of cognitive control (error-related negativity [ERN], theta-band activity) can inform mechanisms of such difficulty. The present study tests the hypothesis that higher EF is associated with increased performance monitoring EEG activity in those with BD and SZ, and examines the effects of affective contexts on those associations. Study Design: Data was collected from 98 participants (33 BD, 32 SZ, 33 healthy control). EF was assessed through five neuropsychological tests. EEG was recorded while participants completed three modified flanker tasks using arrow, unpleasant, and pleasant stimuli. Post-response event-related potentials (ERN, correct-related negativity), theta power, and theta intertrial phase coherence (ITPC) were extracted. Associations of EF with symptoms and EEG indices, as well as effects of group and emotional valence on the associations with EEG, were examined. Study Results: Better EF was associated with (1) greater theta power, on errors in the BD group, and on both error and correct responses in SZ, and (2) greater theta ITPC on errors across groups and affective contexts. The EF-theta power association was also stronger on errors relative to correct responses in BD and SZ. EF was not associated with ERP amplitudes overall. Conclusions: Findings suggest that, while multiple EEG measures could reflect mechanisms underlying EF in general, theta power appears to reflect EF difficulties in BD and SZ specifically and may be a relevant treatment target.

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