Executive functions in adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder

Adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) are presumed to be at risk for developing schizophrenia in adulthood, making them an important group for exploring the developmental trajectory of the disease. Deficits in executive functioning have been documented in schizophrenia patients and adults with SPD. The present study examined executive functions in adolescents with SPD. It was predicted that the SPD group would score below comparison groups (normals and adolescents with other disorders) on measures of executive function, and that those with greater 'negative' signs of SPD would show more pronounced performance deficits. Analyses revealed that the performance of the SPD subjects was impaired relative to the other groups on the modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (MCST), but not on the Tower of London or the Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Consistent with prediction, regression analyses indicated that MCST deficits were associated with greater negative signs of SPD, but not positive signs.