title: Markers of neurodevelopmental impairments in early-onset psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the association between the clinical and neurobiological markers of neurodevelopmental impairments and early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 36 patients with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis was compared to a control sample of 36 patients with migraine. We assessed early childhood neurodevelopmental milestones using a modified version of the General Developmental Scale, general intellectual ability using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised or Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised for patients with speech and language abnormalities, and neurological soft signs with specific regard to subtle motor impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with early-onset psychosis had a higher rate of impaired social development (P=0.001), learning difficulties (P=0.04), enuresis (P=0.0008), a lower intelligence quotient (P<0.001), and subtle motor impairments (P=0.005) than control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that neurodevelopment in early-onset psychosis is characterized by a global impairment of functional and adaptive skills that manifests from early childhood, rather than a delay or limitation in language and motor development. The current evidence is based on a small sample and should be investigated in larger samples in future research.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giuseppina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Petruzzelli
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Margari
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Gloria
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences; University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organ, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organ, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Margari
keywords: early-onset psychosis; early-onset schizophrenia; intellectual disabilities; neurodevelopment; social cognition