Spatial working memory deficits in adolescents at clinical high risk for schizophrenia.
Identifying endophenotypic markers is crucial to schizophrenia research for finding appropriate preventive strategies. Working memory (WM) deficit has been suggested as a marker for schizophrenia but its presence in adolescents at high risk is understudied. We piloted a test of spatial WM function in adolescents at clinical high risk (CHR) for schizophrenia and in age- and IQ-matched low-risk control subjects. CHR adolescents showed deficits in spatial WM compared with controls but showed intact performance on a non-WM-demanding spatial control task. Although based on a small pilot study, the results strongly suggest that WM deficit may be a risk factor for psychosis.
Smith
Christopher W
CW
Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program, Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (NSLIJHS) Glen Oaks, NY 11042, USA. csmith@lij.edu
Park
Sohee
S
Cornblatt
Barbara
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009949:Orientation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010641:Phenotype; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012306:Risk; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*