Research shows that mental illnesses increase suicidal risk. Studies have found that suicidal risk is associated with impaired decision-making.

To analyze decision making based on emotional learning in implicit suicidality.

56 male patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (F20) and denied presence of suicidal ideation were involved into the study (mean age 23±2.7),. Methods: Iowa gambling task (IGT) - integral indicators were used: the prevalence of “good” choices over “bad” ones, total score; and an indicator reflecting the ignorance of consequences of one’s choice - the subject remains on a “bad deck” after a loss. The Rorschach test (Rorschach Comprehensive system) was administered: Suicide Constellation «S-CON» and its components were used.

According to the analysis, prevalence of “good” choices (IGT) negatively correlates with «S-CON» (Spearman’s correlation -0.328*, hereinafter significance level: ~ - p<0.1; * - p<0.05). A decrease in the total IGT score is associated with the following cognitive indicators: disregard for social conventions, non-conformism («P») (Spearman’s, 0.337*); a tendency to react defensively to a problem situation, blocking activity in terms of making decisions («R») (0.308*). Ignoring the consequences of one’s choice (IGT) correlates with such emotional factors as emotional incontinence, superficiality of emotions, emotional lability («FC:CF+C») (-.0382*), ambivalence of emotions («Blcol-shd») (statistical tendency, 0.277~), expressed dissatisfaction with the existing situation, internal tension and dysphoria («S») (0.291~).

The relationship of implicit suicidality with decision-making was found to be similar to the relationship of pronounced suicidality with decision-making. Suicidality is associated with impaired ability to make decisions based on emotional learning.

No significant relationships.

Objective: There is increasing evidence of neuroanatomical pathology in schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether changes exist prior to disease onset. This study aimed to examine whether changes exist prior to disease onset, especially in the temporal lobes.

Methods: T1-weighted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging were performed on 9 first-episode schizophrenia patients, 10 patients who were at high risk of schizophrenia and 10 healthy controls. Voxel-based analysis using the normalised images of cortical volume data was examined, and the fractional anisotropy value at three component fibres of the temporal lobes, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and cingulum hippocampal part was compared among the three groups.

Results: There were statistically significant volume differences at the bilateral temporal lobe between the healthy subjects and high-risk group. Between the schizophrenic group and healthy subjects, statistically significant volume differences were detected at the bilateral temporal lobes and anterior cingulate cortex. The fractional anisotropy values of the SLF in the schizophrenic and high-risk groups were significantly lower than in the healthy subjects.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that some brain alterations may progress in patients at psychosis pre-onset, possibly because of disrupted developmental mechanisms, and these pathological changes may be predictive of functional outcome.