Corollary discharge and efference copy mechanisms in schizophrenia and controls: The N1 and P2 evoked potential components differentially react to self-initiated tones in schizophrenia

“Efference copy” and “corollary discharge” mechanisms may help to distinguish internal from external stimuli. Previous studies indicate that patients with schizophrenia show a lack of N1 evoked response potential component amplitude suppression to self-initiated auditory stimuli, suggesting a corollary discharge impairment. In our study, we examined N1 and P2 component amplitude suppression in 27 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls using an auditory button-press paradigm. In addition to symptom ratings we conducted neuropsychological assessments. Our findings replicated N1 amplitude suppression to self-generated tones in schizophrenia patients. We found no correlation between N1, P2, and lateralized readiness potential, suggesting that the readiness potential may not directly represent corollary discharge mechanisms. Cognition performance was reduced in schizophrenia patients and performance reduction correlated with negative symptoms. Cognition was not associated with evoked potential data. Regarding the P2 component, P2 suppression to self-generated tones was observed in patients as well as in controls. In conclusion, the N1 and the P2 component seem to be differentially involved in corollary discharge and efference copy mechanisms. Further investigation is needed to elucidate functional differences and sources of both components in this context.