A systematic review and meta-analysis on contrast sensitivity in schizophrenia

Abstract

Understanding perceptual alterations in mental diseases can help uncover neural and computational anomalies. Contrast sensitivity, a widely used measure to evaluate visual function, has been reported as deficient in schizophrenia, but the evidence supporting this deficit has not been comprehensively synthesized. In our search, we identified 36 studies that measured contrast sensitivity in individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. The meta-analysis of these studies indicate a robust deficit (g = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.93). However, we have found evidence of the deficit being driven by medication, which suggests that it might not stem from the etiology of the disease. Furthermore, none of the studies controlled for task engagement so further research is needed to determine whether the deficit is genuinely perceptual.