Persistent Negative Symptoms in First-Episode Psychosis: Early Cognitive and Social Functioning Correlates and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• First-episode psychosis (FEP) presents significant challenges in cognitive and social functioning.
• Persistent negative symptoms (PNS) are a critical subtype of FEP, impacting long-term outcomes.
• Understanding the early characteristics and prevalence of PNS is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize early cognitive and social functioning in FEP patients with and without PNS.
• To examine the prevalence of PNS in early-onset versus adult-onset FEP.
• To investigate the cognitive and functional correlates of PNS in these groups.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter longitudinal study included 235 FEP patients (51 early-onset, 184 adult-onset) and 240 controls.
• Symptoms, cognition, and social functioning were assessed using standard instruments.
• PNS was derived from clinical assessments at 2-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups; statistical analyses compared groups.

Main Results:

• 16.2% of FEP patients met criteria for PNS, showing deficits in executive functions and global functioning.
• PNS was associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders at 12-month follow-up.
• PNS prevalence was nearly double in early-onset FEP (25% vs 14%), linked to greater cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

• Early social and executive dysfunction are associated with PNS in FEP.
• Early-onset FEP carries a high risk of PNS, correlating with more extensive cognitive deficits.
• Targeted interventions for PNS in early-onset FEP are warranted.