Abstract
Binocular rivalry is a visual illusion that results in alternating perception when different stimuli are presented to each eye. Symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive dysfunction often characterize psychosis. Binocular rivalry tasks may aid in understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie psychotic psychopathology. Previous research has found slower binocular rivalry switch rates in people with schizophrenia (SZ), however more work is needed to understand how people with psychosis may perceive this illusion differently than other people. In this study, we collected both behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) data from 21 healthy controls (HC) and 9 participants with SZ. Participants were asked to respond to one block of a 2-minute ‘real switch’ task and five blocks of a 2-minute binocular rivalry illusory task. Data were collected and analyzed using MATLAB. We used EEGLab for data processing and artifact removal using ICA. EEG data were analyzed in the frequency domain using the Fit Oscillations One Over F (FOOOF) toolbox to quantify oscillatory signals in the alpha (7-13 Hz) range. Both groups showed high and similar behavioral accuracy in the real switch task, however SZ participants showed slower reaction times compared to HCs. Although our preliminary results suggest similar rivalry switch rates in both groups, the variability in percept durations during rivalry (i.e., coefficient of variance) appeared somewhat higher among SZ participants. Using EEG, we observed alpha oscillations during both real switch and rivalry tasks. Preliminary results suggest differences in alpha oscillations between groups during our rivalry task. As we continue to acquire data in this experiment, a larger sample size will allow us to explore group differences as well as potential correlations between behavioral and EEG measures.