Reduced perception of the motion-induced blindness illusion in schizophrenia

Motion-induced blindness (MIB) occurs when target stimuli are presented together with a moving distractor pattern. Most observers experience the targets disappearing and reappearing repeatedly for periods of up to several seconds. MIB can be viewed as a striking marker for the organization of cognitive functioning. In the present study, MIB rates and durations were assessed in 34 schizophrenia-spectrum disorder patients and matched controls. The results showed that positive symptoms and excitement enhanced MIB, whereas depression and negative symptoms attenuated the illusion. MIB was more frequently found in normal subjects. The results remained consistent after adjusting for reaction time and error rates. Hence, MIB may provide a valid and reliable measure of cognitive organization in schizophrenia.