Social cognition and neurocognitive deficits in first-episode schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Recent research has shown a significant impact of social cognitive domains on real world functioning and prognosis in schizophrenia. However, the correlations between specific aspects of social cognition, neurocognition, IQ and clinical symptoms remain unclear in first-episode schizophrenia. Researchers have speculated about social cognitive subgroups since patients with schizophrenia appear to be a very heterogeneous group.


METHODS
Patients with a recent diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia were tested regarding theory of mind, social perception, neurocognition, IQ, and clinical symptoms.


RESULTS
Data from 36 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 36 one to one matched healthy controls were analysed. Principal component analysis in the patient group was used to examine the variance contributed by different aspects of social cognition, neurocognition, and clinical symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Complex aspects of social cognition explained 24% of the variance in the patient group. The other principal components consisted mainly of aspects of simple perception of theory of mind. Neurocognition and clinical symptoms only explained a minor proportion of the variance in the patient group. The results imply that social cognitive deficits in first-episode schizophrenia come in two distinct versions where one is a complex, cognitive demanding form linked with IQ. The other version is related to simpler forms of social cognition and independent of IQ. These two forms are comparable to the implicit and explicit mentalising discussed in the developmental literature. The two forms of social cognitive deficits are likely to require quite different social cognitive interventions.
Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Psychosis Unit, OPUS, Clinic for Young People With Schizophrenia, Skovagervej 2, 8240 Risskov, Denmark; Aarhus University Hospital, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, CFIN, Noerrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Electronic address: vibeke.bliksted@ps.rm.dk.
Vibeke
V
Bliksted
Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Psychiatric Centre Glostrup, NordreRingvej 29-67, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark; Lundbeck Foundation Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Psychiatric Centre Glostrup, NordreRingvej 29-67, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark.
Birgitte
B
Fagerlund
Aarhus University Hospital, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, CFIN, Noerrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Ethan
E
Weed
Aarhus University Hospital, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, CFIN, Noerrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Leopold Müller Functional Imaging Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London WC 1N 3BG, England, United Kingdom.
Chris
C
Frith
Aarhus University Hospital Risskov, Centre for Psychiatric Research, Skovagervej 2, 8240 Risskov, Denmark.
Poul
P
Videbech
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*
First-episode schizophrenia; Negative symptoms; Neurocognition; Positive symptoms; Social cognition; Social perception; Theory of mind