Executive Dysfunction among Children with Antipsychotic Treated Schizophrenia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Schizophrenia in adolescents can significantly impact cognitive functions.
• Antipsychotic medications are a primary treatment, but their effect on executive function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess executive function in adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with antipsychotics.
• To compare executive function between medicated adolescent schizophrenia patients and a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 45 adolescents with antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia and 135 healthy controls.
• Executive function was evaluated using the Indonesian version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-Indonesian version).
• Statistical analysis included calculating the prevalence risk ratio (PRR) with a p-value <0.05.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia exhibited higher BRIEF T-scores across most executive function scales compared to controls.
• Significant differences were observed in emotional state, initiation, and monitoring, with higher PRRs in the schizophrenia group.
• Inhibition and behavioral regulation showed comparable scores between groups, with the exception of the behavior regulation index.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents with antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia generally demonstrate poorer executive function compared to healthy peers.
• The findings underscore the persistent challenges in executive functioning despite antipsychotic treatment in this population.
• Further research may explore specific therapeutic strategies to address these deficits.