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Cognitive functioning in stabilized first-episode psychosis patients
L A Townsend1, A K Malla, R M Norman
1Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses, London Health Science Center, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, 392 South St, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4G5. laurel.townsend@lhsc.on.ca
Psychiatry Research
|November 17, 2001
Summary
Individuals with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis show average cognitive functioning, with notable deficits in processing speed and executive functions. These cognitive changes appear subtle and do not differ significantly across diagnoses or clinical/demographic factors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are associated with cognitive impairments.
- Understanding cognitive functioning in first-episode psychosis is crucial for early intervention and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the cognitive functioning profile in a community-based cohort of individuals with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis.
- To identify specific cognitive domains most affected and explore potential demographic or clinical correlates.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 107 patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis underwent cognitive assessment after symptom stabilization.
- Standardized cognitive measures including WAIS III, WMS III, PASAT, Stroop Test, and Trails B were administered.
- NART-WAIS discrepancy scores were used to assess cognitive decline.
Main Results:
- Patients generally performed in the average range on most cognitive measures.
- Significant deficits were observed in speed of information processing (PASAT, WAIS III) and executive functions (Stroop Test, Trails B).
- Subtle declines in full scale and performance IQ were suggested by NART-WAIS discrepancy scores.
Conclusions:
- First-episode schizophrenia spectrum psychosis presents a relatively benign cognitive profile, particularly when including community-based incidence cases.
- Processing speed is the most affected cognitive domain.
- Cognitive functioning did not significantly differ between diagnostic subgroups or between highest and lowest functioning patients.
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