Cognitive dimensions in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
BACKGROUND
The severity and pattern of cognitive deficits in epidemiological cohorts of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders still remains unclear. We aimed to characterize the basic cognitive functioning of a representative sample of patients with a first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-one patients experiencing first-episode psychosis and 28 healthy volunteers were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. To reduce the number of cognitive test measures into meaningful cognitive dimensions, before analyzing differences between patient and healthy volunteer samples, exploratory factor analysis was carried out on data collected in patients group. The method of extraction was Principal Components Analysis with oblique rotation.


RESULTS
An eight-factor model including verbal learning/memory, verbal comprehensive abilities, speed of processing/executive functioning, motor dexterity, motor speed, sustained attention, and impulsivity emerged. A significant below average performance in all cognitive dimensions, except impulsivity, was found. Patient's performance in speed of processing/executive functioning, motor dexterity and sustained attention dimensions exceeded one standard deviation below healthy comparison subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
At early stages of the illness, patients display a marked impairment in several functionally relevant cognitive domains.
González-Blanch
César
C
Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Santander, Spain. cgblanch@terra.es
Crespo-Facorro
Benedicto
B
Alvarez-Jiménez
Mario
M
Rodríguez-Sánchez
José Manuel
JM
Pelayo-Terán
José María
JM
Pérez-Iglesias
Rocío
R
Vázquez-Barquero
José Luis
JL
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013030:Spain