Cognition and communication dysfunctions in early-onset schizophrenia: effect of risperidone

Cognitive impairment and formal thought disorder, also referred to as communication disturbances, are considered the core symptoms of schizophrenia, strongly affecting social functioning and long-term outcome. Several studies in adult patients suggest improvement of both functions after the treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Such medications are also used as first line treatment in early-onset schizophrenia, however their efficacy in cognitive and communication domains in this population have not been systematically assessed.

Evaluation of risperidone efficacy at psychopathological symptoms, cognitive impairment and formal thought disorder in adolescents with schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis.

Psychopathological symptoms, cognitive functioning and formal thought disorder were evaluated in 32 hospitalized adolescent patients with schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis at the beginning of risperidone treatment and after clinical improvement and compared to the results of matched healthy control group.

Risperidone treatment was associated with reduction of symptom severity and moderate improvement of formal thought disorder and some aspects of executive functions. Working memory and verbal fluency were not improved. There were few correlations between psychopathological symptoms and results of cognitive tests, mainly between negative symptoms and executive functions.

In early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders atypical antipsychotic treatment is associated with alleviation of symptoms and only selective and moderate cognitive and communication improvement.