Neurodevelopmental markers in different psychopathological dimensions of first episode psychosis: the ESPIGAS study.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to explore whether specific groups of patients with first episode non-affective psychosis could be identified on a psychopathological basis and, then, whether such identified groups could be validated by exploring their correlation with a variety of neurodevelopmental markers.


METHODS
Eighty-seven patients with a first episode of non-affective psychotic disorder were consecutively recruited. We assessed psychopathology and neurological soft signs using the PANSS and the Neurological Evaluation Scale, respectively. We collected information on obstetric complications, premorbid adjustment and family history.


RESULTS
All PANSS symptoms were analysed using principal component analysis and four factors were obtained (negative, disorganization, positive and paranoid). Subsequently, the four factors were subjected to a cluster analysis where three groups emerged: "paranoid" (n=40), "low score" (n=29) and "negative" (n=18) subtype. After adjusting by sex and age, we found that the "negative group" had poorer social premorbid adjustment, worse verbal fluency and higher prevalence of both obstetric complications and neurological soft signs, when compared with the "low score" group. Similarly, the "negative group" showed significantly poorer social premorbid adjustment and higher number of neurological soft signs than the "paranoid group".


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support that, among non-affective first onset psychotic patients, those with predominant negative symptoms are more likely to correlate with higher presence of neurodevelopmental markers.
Ruiz-Veguilla
Miguel
M
First Episode and Early Onset Psychosis Unit, Unidad de Psiquiatria, Hospital Neurotraumatológico, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaen, E-23009 Jaen, Spain. mruizveguilla@yahoo.com
Cervilla
Jorge A
JA
Barrigón
Maria Luisa
ML
Ferrín
Maite
M
Gutiérrez
Blanca
B
Gordo
Estibaliz
E
Anguita
Manuel
M
Brañas
Antía
A
Fernández-Logroño
Jesús
J
Gurpegui
Manuel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011599:Psychopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D012564:Schizophrenic Language; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014705:Verbal Behavior