Discriminant cognitive factors in responder and non-responder patients with schizophrenia.
To identify which improvements in cognitive function are associated with symptom resolution in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics.


METHODS
a prospective open trial with atypical neuroleptics (risperidone, clozapine, quetiapine).


METHODS
Inpatient and outpatient units, Institute of Psychiatry.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV criteria were included. Clinical and cognitive assessment were done at baseline (T0) and again after six months of treatment (T2). Twenty-five patients completed the trial.


METHODS
New-generation antipsychotics during six months. Patients were considered as responders if their PANSS score decreased at least 20% (n = 15) and non-responders if it did not (n = 10).


METHODS
a computerized cognitive assessment comprised tests of short-term-memory (digit span), explicit long-term memory (word pair learning), divided attention, selective attention and verbal fluency (orthographic and semantic). Clinical assessment included PANSS and ESRS.


RESULTS
A discriminant function analysis was performed to determine which changes in cognitive performance predicted symptomatic response status. Semantic fluency and orthographic fluency were significant predictors. Together they correctly predicted responder status in 88% of cases. Memory was not a significant predictor of symptomatic response.


CONCLUSIONS
Verbal fluency discriminated the responder from the non-responder group during a pharmacological treatment.
Stip
E
E
Centre de recherche Fernand Seguin, Hôpital L.H. Lafontaine, Université de Montréal, 7331 rue Hochelaga, Montreal HIN 3V2 Québec Canada.
Lussier
I
I
Ngan
E
E
Mendrek
A
A
Liddle
P
P
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012564:Schizophrenic Language; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone