Frontal alpha asymmetry in schizotypy: electrophysiological evidence for motivational dysfunction

Thanh P. Le, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Heather D. Lucas, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Elana K. Schwartz, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Kyle R. Mitchell, Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA.
Alex S. Cohen, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Abstract

Schizotypy is defined as personality traits reflecting an underlying risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. As yet, there is a dearth of suitable objective markers for measuring schizotypy. Frontal alpha asymmetry, characterised by reduced left versus right frontal region activity, reflects trait-like diminished approach-related systems and has been found in schizophrenia. The present study used electroencephalography (EEG) recorded on a consumer-grade mobile headset to examine asymmetric resting-state frontal alpha, beta, and gamma power within the multidimensional schizotypy (e.g. positive, negative, disorganised) during a three-minute "eyes closed" resting period in college undergraduates (=49). Findings suggest that schizotypy was exclusively related to reduced left versus right-lateralised power in the alpha frequency (8.1-12.9 Hz., = .16). Follow-up analysis suggested that positive schizotypy was uniquely associated with increased right alpha activity, indicating increased withdrawal motivation. Frontal asymmetry is a possible ecologically valid objective marker for schizotypy that may be detectable using easily accessible, consumer-grade technology.