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Level and pattern of neuropsychological functioning in early-onset psychoses

D-M Walker1, P J Standen

  • 1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, UK. dawn-marie.walker@nottingham.ac.uk

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|October 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study found global cognitive deficits in early-onset psychoses, not specific impairments. When matched for age, gender, and IQ, patients showed no greater cognitive deficits than controls.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Early-onset psychoses (EOP) present unique challenges in understanding cognitive development.
  • Previous research suggests potential cognitive impairments in EOP, but specific patterns remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cognitive deficit levels and patterns in early-onset psychoses against a matched control group.
  • To investigate if cognitive deficits in EOP are global or specific, considering IQ, age, and gender.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 48 patients with psychosis onset before age 16 and 47 matched controls.
  • Utilized comprehensive neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive function.
  • Assessed psychotic symptomatology using DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria and the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale.

Main Results:

  • No specific pattern of cognitive impairments was identified between patient and control groups.
  • Both groups performed below age-derived norms, suggesting global cognitive deficits.
  • Patients with EOP did not exhibit greater cognitive deficits than controls when matched for IQ, age, and gender.

Conclusions:

  • Early-onset psychoses are associated with global cognitive deficits rather than specific impairments when compared to normative data.
  • Cognitive functioning in EOP is comparable to controls when matched on key demographic and intellectual factors.
  • Findings align with previous research on early-onset schizophrenia, emphasizing global cognitive impact.

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