Neurocognition and Social Cognition Predicting 1-Year Outcomes in First-Episode Psychosis

Cognitive performance at illness onset may predict outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP), and the change in cognition may associate with clinical changes. Cognitive testing was administered to 54 FEP participants 2 months after entering treatment and to 39 participants after 1 year. We investigated whether baseline cognition predicted 1-year outcomes beyond positive, negative, and affective symptoms and whether the trajectory of cognition associated with clinical change. Baseline overall neurocognitive performance predicted the 1-year social and occupational level, occupational status, and maintaining of life goals. The domain of processing speed associated with the 1-year remission, occupational status, and maintaining of life goals. Baseline social cognition associated with occupational status a year later and the need for hospital treatment during the 1st year after FEP. Most of the associations were retained beyond baseline positive and affective symptom levels, but when accounting for negative symptoms, cognition no longer predicted 1-year outcomes, highlighting how negative symptoms overlap with cognition. The trajectory of neurocognitive performance over the year did not associate with changes in symptoms or functioning. Cognitive testing at the beginning of treatment provided information on the 1-year outcome in FEP beyond positive and affective symptom levels. In particular, the domains of processing speed and social cognition could be targets for interventions that aim to improve the outcome after FEP.