title: Correlation of neurological soft signs and neurocognitive performance in first episode psychosis.
abstract: Neurological soft signs and neurocognitive impairments are commonly observed in first episode psychosis but the correlation of these factors remains controversial. Here, we evaluated 30 patients with remitted first episode psychosis and 30 healthy controls for the presence and severity of neurological soft signs (using the Neurological Evaluation Scale--NES) and for neurocognitive impairments (using seven subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery--CANTAB). NES score was higher in patients compared to controls. Neurocognitive impairment was evident in patients in the following domains: working memory, spatial recognition memory, attention set shifting, planning and inhibition. The NES revealed significant correlations with spatial working memory performance and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shifting (as a component of executive function). These correlations were observed both in patients and in controls. Planning and inhibition showed correlation with the total NES score and the sequencing of complex motor acts in both groups. In addition, spatial span and spatial recognition memory showed significant correlation with total NES score and the sequencing of complex motor acts in controls. The correlation between sequencing of complex motor acts and specific domains of neurocognitive tasks suggests that similar neuroanatomical substrates might be implicated in these processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Somaye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arabzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: aminihom@sina.tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Homayoun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tehrani-Doost
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Vandad
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noroozian
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rahiminejad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Executive function; Neurologic signs; Neuropsychological tests; Psychotic disorders; Schizophrenia; Working memory