ERP Signature of the Visual Go/Nogo Task in Acute Schizophrenia

Background Motor response inhibition deficits are a core feature of executive dysfunction in schizophrenia, with the N2 and P3 event-related potential (ERP) components during Go/Nogo task serving as key neural markers. While reductions in N2 and P3 amplitudes, as well as anteriorized P3 topography, have been documented in stable outpatients with schizophrenia, their presence in acute inpatients remains unexplored. Methods We collected high-density EEG in 23 inpatients with schizophrenia, recruited within 72 hours of admission in psychiatric hospital, and 23 healthy controls. We preprocessed data with MNE-Python, including filtering (0.2–40Hz), artifact rejection, and independent component analysis. Results Acute inpatients displayed a > 50% reduction in frontal Nogo N2 absolute amplitude compared to healthy controls ( p =.003, g =-0.939). Inpatients also exhibited an anteriorized Nogo P3 (group*ROI interaction: p =.018, g  = 0.78). In the Go condition, patients displayed more variable single-trial peak latency (N2: p <.001, g =-1.363; P3: p <.001, g =-1.086). Most ERP metrics correlated with task performance across both groups, but not with acute symptom severity. Conclusion We extended previously reported ERP alterations in stable outpatients to acute inpatients, with large effect sizes. This supports the potential use of visual Go/Nogo ERPs as diagnostic biomarkers of schizophrenia across different phases of the illness. Correlations between ERP components and behavioral performance highlight their functional relevance. These results provide the first characterization of the neural signature of visual Go/Nogo task in acute schizophrenia. Its neurobiological underpinnings and clinical relevance as biomarkers warrant further investigation.