Neuropsychological deficits in children associated with increased familial risk for schizophrenia.
By studying neuropsychological performance in children genetically at-risk for schizophrenia, greater understanding may be obtained regarding the developmental processes of schizophrenia and associated cognitive weaknesses. A variety of cognitive deficits in genetically at-risk children have been reported. The present study was designed to examine cognitive tasks that have traditionally differentiated children genetically at-risk for schizophrenia (e.g. working memory) from normal children, while also assessing abilities that have received scant attention in this population. Aspects of emotional perception, verbal abilities, inhibition, visuo-spatial skills, and working memory were assessed in children of schizophrenic parents and normal children. Significant differences in performances were identified in at-risk children on measures of verbal skills, working memory and inhibition. Findings suggest that children genetically at-risk for developing schizophrenia exhibit neurocognitive weaknesses generally consistent with those noted in the literature. However, inhibition also appeared to be a cognitive process that significantly differentiated the groups. The possibility of a developmental expression of neurocognitive deficits is discussed.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80262, USA. deana.davalos@uchsc.edu
Deana B
DB
Davalos
Nina
N
Compagnon
Shari
S
Heinlein
Randal G
RG
Ross
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014888:Wechsler Scales