Neurocognitive deficits in adolescents with schizophrenia: longitudinal stability and predictive utility for short-term functional outcome.
OBJECTIVE
Previous cross-sectional studies in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS; onset of psychotic symptoms by 18 years of age) have reported patterns of generalized neurocognitive deficits as compared to healthy comparison subjects (HCSs). Here, the authors examined the longitudinal stability of neuropsychological deficits in adolescents with EOS relative to HCS and the associations of these deficits with short-term functional outcome in patients.


METHODS
Fifty-two subjects (26 EOS, 26 HCS) were evaluated using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery a median of 13 months after baseline examination. The stability of scores and the relationship between baseline test performance and functional outcome in patients was explored.


RESULTS
Adolescents with EOS were impaired across neurocognitive domains at baseline and follow-up compared to HCSs; these deficits remained relatively stable over time. Follow-up social/communication, personal living, and community living skills were significantly related to attention/vigilance, working memory and verbal memory at baseline; individual cognitive domains were more strongly related to functional outcome than a global measure of intelligence.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropsychological impairment in patients with EOS appears to remain relatively stable over time regardless of changes in clinical state. In addition, this report offers preliminary support for a longitudinal relationship between neurocognitive performance in specific domains and functional outcome.
Cervellione
Kelly L
KL
Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA. klw2009@columbia.edu
Burdick
Katherine E
KE
Cottone
John G
JG
Rhinewine
Joseph P
JP
Kumra
Sanjiv
S
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000465:Algorithms; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology