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Level and pattern of neuropsychological functioning in early-onset psychoses
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
Summary
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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