Deficit of theory of mind in individuals at ultra-high-risk for schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Although a deficit in social cognition is regarded as an early indicator of schizophrenia, few studies have investigated social cognition in ultra-high-risk (UHR) individuals.


METHODS
Our investigation involved subjects at UHR for psychosis (N=33) and an age- and IQ-matched healthy control (HC) group (N=36). Two types of theory of mind (ToM) tasks and a neuropsychological test battery were measured.


RESULTS
Compared to the HC group, the UHR group performed significantly worse for ToM tasks, with the effect size at an intermediate level (0.64-0.68). Furthermore, the UHR group showed impaired performance in the executive and working memory tests, but not verbal memory tests. These deficits for ToM tests observed in the UHR group were significantly correlated with set-shifting tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
Deficits in social cognition may be modest at the prodromal stage of schizophrenia and may be attributed to prefrontal dysfunction. To prevent or delay transition to psychosis, there is a need for specific preventive strategies targeting social functioning for the UHR group.
Chung
Yu Sun
YS
Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Neuroscience Institute, SNU-MRC, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kang
Do-Hyung
DH
Shin
Na Young
NY
Yoo
So Young
SY
Kwon
Jun Soo
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D011340:Problem Solving; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology