To characterize the left and right scanning function and the effect of affection in schizophrenia patients exploratory eye movements as biologic markers were recorded in 44 schizophrenia patients and 72 age-matched healthy controls. The total eye scanning length (TESL) and total number of gaze points (TNGP) in the left and right visual fields were calculated as subjects viewed neutral or affectively charged pictures. TESL of patients was shorter than that of controls when viewing pictures of smiling babies and open circles. TESL of patients was shorter for smiling faces than for crying babies, but TESL of controls was longer for smiling faces than for crying babies. Left TNGP for smiling faces and circles was lower in patients than in controls. In patients, left TNGP for crying babies was higher than for either smiling babies or circles. In controls, left TNGP for smiling babies was higher than crying babies. In patients, left TNGP for smiling babies and circles was smaller than the right TNGP. In controls, left TNGP was larger for smiling than for crying babies. When viewing smiling babies, both TESL and TNGP were negatively correlated with negative symptom scores in patients. Patients' eye movements in the left visual field were clearly different from controls', suggesting that visual cognitive function is impaired in schizophrenia patients. Exploratory eye movements are a useful marker of visual cognitive function, and are a useful tool to evaluate the influence of affection in schizophrenia patients.

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Abbreviations: TESL, total eye scanning length; TNGP, total numbers of gaze points. Edited by RYOJI YAMAKAWA A Life Span Study of Exploratory Eye Movements in Healthy Subjects Summary:To evaluate age and gender differences as well as effects of affection, we examined exploratory eye movements. Exploratory eye movements were recorded in healthy subjects (57 women and 57 men) ranging from 9 to 74 years. All subjects were divided into three groups as pre puberty, young, and older adults to study the influences of age and gonadal hormones. Exploratory eye movements were analyzed for total eye scanning length (TESL), and total numbers of gaze points (TNGP) as subjects viewed neutral or affectively charged pictures. TESL and TNGP in older adults were significantly larger than that in both pre puberty and young adults for crying babies. TESL and TNGP in pre puberty were significantly smaller than that in both young and older adults for circles. TESL and TNGP in pre puberty were significantly smaller than that in older adults for smiling babies. Pre puberty and young adult of both genders for crying babies showed significantly shorter TESL than for when smiling babies. When viewing circles, young adult women had shorter TESL than men. TNGP in young adult women was smaller than in men for circles or crying babies. TNGP of young adult women in the visual right field was significantly smaller than in men. TNGP for crying babies was significantly smaller than that for smiling babies in young adults of both genders for the left field. Exploratory eye movements thus are a useful marker of visual cognitive function. Gender differences were limited to younger adults, suggesting influences of gonadal hormones.

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