%A Keane,Brian P. %A Cruz,Lisa N. %A Paterno,Danielle %A Silverstein,Steven M. %D 2018 %J Frontiers in Psychiatry %C %F %G English %K Basic symptoms,Visual Perception,Premorbid functioning,Hallucinations,Delusions,Schizophrenia,depressive symptoms %Q %R 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00069 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2018-March-12 %9 Original Research %+ Dr Brian P. Keane,University Behavioral Health Care, Rutgers University,United States,brian.keane@rutgers.edu %+ Dr Brian P. Keane,Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University,United States,brian.keane@rutgers.edu %+ Dr Brian P. Keane,Center for Cognitive Science, Rutgers University,United States,brian.keane@rutgers.edu %# %! Bonn Scale Vision %* %< %T Self-Reported Visual Perceptual Abnormalities Are Strongly Associated with Core Clinical Features in Psychotic Disorders %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00069 %V 9 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-0640 %X BackgroundPast studies using the Bonn Scale for the Assessment of Basic Symptoms (hereafter, Bonn Scale) have shown that self-reported perceptual/cognitive disturbances reveal which persons have or will soon develop schizophrenia. Here, we focused specifically on the clinical value of self-reported visual perceptual abnormalities (VPAs) since they are underexplored and have been associated with suicidal ideation, negative symptoms, and objective visual dysfunction.MethodUsing the 17 Bonn Scale vision items, we cross-sectionally investigated lifetime occurrence of VPAs in 21 first-episode psychosis and 22 chronic schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SZ/SA) patients. Relationships were probed between VPAs and illness duration, symptom severity, current functioning, premorbid functioning, diagnosis, and age of onset.ResultsIncreased VPAs were associated with: earlier age of onset; more delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behavior, and depressive symptoms; and worse premorbid social functioning, especially in the childhood and early adolescent phases. SZ/SA participants endorsed more VPAs as compared to those with schizophreniform or psychotic disorder-NOS, especially in the perception of color, bodies, faces, object movement, and double/reversed vision. The range of self-reported VPAs was strikingly similar between first-episode and chronic patients and did not depend on the type or amount of antipsychotic medication. As a comparative benchmark, lifetime occurrence of visual hallucinations did not depend on diagnosis and was linked only to poor premorbid social functioning.ConclusionA brief 17-item interview derived from the Bonn Scale is strongly associated with core clinical features in schizophrenia. VPAs hold promise for clarifying diagnosis, predicting outcome, and guiding neurocognitive investigations.