Objective: The relationship between paranoia symptoms and underlying prefrontal cortex mechanisms among healthy subjectswas analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy.
Methods: Seventy-eight healthy subjects were assessed for paranoia symptoms using the Japanese version of the ParanoiaChecklist. Changes in hemoglobin concentrations were assessed using 2-channel near-infrared spectroscopy on the surfaceof the prefrontal cortex while subjects performed a verbal fluency test.
Results: Changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex during a verbal fluency test did notcorrelate with the Japanese version of the Paranoia Checklist.
Conclusion: Our findings show that the symptoms of paranoia do not negatively affect the prefrontal cortex function amonghealthy subjects.