A Meta-analytic Review of Auditory Event-Related Potential Components as Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia: Perspectives from First-Degree Relatives

Abstract

Introduction: As endophenotypes bridge the gap between genetics and phenotypic disease expression, identifying reliable markers is important for fostering understanding of pathophysiology. The present aim was to conduct current meta-analyses of 3 key auditory event-related potential (ERP) components that have been held as potential endophenotypes for schizophrenia: P50, P300 amplitude and latency, and mismatch negativity (MMN), reflective of sensory gating, attention and classification speed, and perceptual discrimination ability, respectively. In order to assess endophenotype viability, these components were examined in unaffected relatives of patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Methods: Effect sizes (ES) were examined between relatives and controls for P50 suppression (10 studies, n = 360 relatives, 473 controls), P300 amplitude (20 studies, n = 868 relatives, 961 controls), P300 latency (17 studies, n = 674 relatives, 792 controls), and MMN (11 studies, n = 377 relatives, 552 controls). Results: Reliable differences in P50 suppression (ES = 0.86, P < 0.01). Discussion: The results indicate that P50 suppression, P300 amplitude and P300 latency, and MMN may serve as viable endophenotypes for schizophrenia.