title: Spatial working memory deficits in adolescents at clinical high risk for schizophrenia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Sohee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cornblatt
mesh_terms: 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*