Executive dysfunction in Turkish children at high risk for schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To explore different aspects of executive function (i.e. sequencing, set shifting and mental flexibility) in children who are at high risk for schizophrenia by comparing them with normal controls.


METHODS
The high risk (HR) group consisted of 30 children whose parents were diagnosed as schizophrenia. As the control group (CG) 30 children, whose parents did not meet any DSM IV diagnostic criteria for any psychiatric disorder, participated. They were age and sex matched with the HR group. For the evaluation of different domains of cognitive functions Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised (WISC-R), and a group of neuropsychological tests, including Trail Making A-B Tests, Color Form Test, and Progressive Figures Test were administered. Behavioral problems were assessed using Hacettepe Adjustment Scale.


RESULTS
The subjects in the high risk group had significantly lower scores on Trail Making A-B, Color Form, Progressive Figures Tests, as well as subtests and scores of WISC-R (Information, Comprehension, Similarities, Picture Completion, Block Design, Object Assembly and Coding subtests, Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ scores). There is no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency and severity of behavioral problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Children of parents with schizophrenia displayed significantly greater number of difficulties in several areas of executive function, such as sequencing, set shifting, and mental flexibility, when compared to their controls.
Fis
Nese Perdahli
NP
Deptartment of Child Psychiatry, Marmara Universitesi Hastanesi Cocuk, Psikiyatrisi Anabilim Dali, Tophanelioglu Cad. No: 13-15 Altunizade, 34660, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey. nfis@marmara.edu.tr
Cetin
Fusun Cuhadaroglu
FC
Erturk
Mihriban
M
Erdogan
Emel
E
Dedeoglu
Ceyda
C
Yazgan
Yanki
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology