The course of neurocognition and social functioning in individuals at ultra high risk for psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates longitudinal neuropsychological performance and its association with clinical symptomatology and psychosocial outcome in individuals identified as ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis.


METHODS
Thirty-five UHR individuals completed neurocognitive, clinical, and social/role functioning assessments at baseline and, on average, 8.3 months later.


RESULTS
UHR subjects showed significant cognitive deficits at baseline and 2 distinct profiles of cognitive change over time. On average, 50% demonstrated improvement in social and role functioning over the follow-up period, while the other half showed either stability or decline in functioning. Functional improvement was associated with improved processing speed and visual memory, as well as improvement in clinical symptoms over the follow-up period. In contrast, patients who did not improve functionally showed stable clinical symptoms and cognitive performance over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the degree of neurocognitive deficit at baseline in UHR patients does not predict psychosocial outcome, the course of neurocognitive change over the first 8 months of follow-up does differentiate patients with good and poor functional outcomes.
Niendam
Tara A
TA
Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563, USA. tniendam@ucla.edu
Bearden
Carrie E
CE
Zinberg
Jamie
J
Johnson
Jennifer K
JK
O'Brien
Mary
M
Cannon
Tyrone D
TD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012380:Role; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment