Lenzenweger Mark F, Miller Allison B, Maher Brendan A, Manschreck Theo C
Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Binghamton, Science IV, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.
Schizophr Res. 2007 Sep;95(1-3):96-102. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.06.009. Epub 2007 Jul 12.
Recent empirical evidence [Maher, B.A., Manschreck, T.C., Linnert, J., Candela, S., 2005. Quantitative assessment of the frequency of normal associations in the utterances of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Schizophrenia Research 78, 219-224] shows that schizophrenia patients produce an elevated rate of normative thought associations in verbal utterances as measured by an objective computerized procedure. An important theoretical question concerns whether such an elevated rate of associative activity is due merely to psychosis, or can it be found in schizotypic subjects with no prior history of psychosis.
We hypothesized that schizotypic features should be correlated with associative performance, especially the positive symptom-like schizotypic features. The present study examined associative performance in psychometrically-identified schizotypic subjects (n=25) and normal control (n=29) subjects. We studied individual differences in schizotypal personality features in relation to the associative performance index.
Level of normative associations was correlated with total schizotypic features, particularly those involving reality distortion and disorganization. Regression analysis revealed higher levels of disorganization features and lower levels of negative schizotypal features uniquely accounted for variation in the associative performance index. Partial correlation analysis suggested that the negative schizotypic features dimension may function as a suppressor variable moderating the relationship between disorganization and level of normative associations.
Disorganization-related schizotypal features among individuals with no prior history of psychosis are correlated with elevated levels of normative associations. This relationship is most likely moderated by negative schizotypic features. These data support the presence of hyperassociative processes in those deemed to be at elevated risk for schizophrenia (or, more broadly perhaps, psychosis). Our findings support the utility of measuring associative performance using an objective measure and suggest that associative performance may be an endophenotype [Gottesman, I., Gould, T., 2003. The endophenotype concept in psychiatry: etymology and strategic intentions. American Journal of Psychiatry 160, 636-645] for schizophrenia.
最近的实证证据[马赫，B.A.，曼施雷克，T.C.，林纳特，J.，坎德拉，S.，2005年。精神分裂症患者和健康对照言语中正常联想频率的定量评估。《精神分裂症研究》78卷，219 - 224页]表明，通过客观的计算机程序测量，精神分裂症患者在言语中产生规范思维联想的比率有所升高。一个重要的理论问题是，这种联想活动比率的升高仅仅是由于精神病所致，还是在没有精神病病史的分裂型人格受试者中也能发现。
我们假设分裂型人格特征应与联想表现相关，尤其是类似阳性症状的分裂型人格特征。本研究考察了经心理测量确定为分裂型人格的受试者（n = 25）和正常对照受试者（n = 29）的联想表现。我们研究了与联想表现指数相关的分裂型人格特征的个体差异。
规范联想水平与总的分裂型人格特征相关，特别是那些涉及现实扭曲和紊乱的特征。回归分析显示，较高水平的紊乱特征和较低水平的阴性分裂型人格特征独特地解释了联想表现指数的变异。偏相关分析表明，阴性分裂型人格特征维度可能作为一个抑制变量，调节紊乱与规范联想水平之间的关系。
在没有精神病病史的个体中，与紊乱相关的分裂型人格特征与较高水平的规范联想相关。这种关系很可能受到阴性分裂型人格特征的调节。这些数据支持在被认为患精神分裂症（或者更广泛地说，精神病）风险较高的人群中存在过度联想过程。我们的研究结果支持使用客观测量方法来测量联想表现的实用性，并表明联想表现可能是精神分裂症的一种内表型[戈特斯曼，I.，古尔德，T.，2003年。精神病学中的内表型概念：词源和战略意图。《美国精神病学杂志》160卷，636 - 645页]。
