Individual trajectories of cognitive performance in first episode psychosis: a 2-year follow-up study

The impact of early intervention for first episode psychosis on cognitive functioning

IMPORTANCE

Impaired cognitive functioning is a core characteristic of schizophrenia, present from the onset of the illness and relatively stable thereafter. Despite evidence supporting the impact of early intervention services (EIS) on improving symptoms and functioning in first episode psychosis (FEP), controlled research has not examined its impact on cognitive functioning.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the longitudinal course of cognitive functioning in FEP patients participating in a large, controlled study comparing EIS with usual services.

METHODS

A total of 404 persons ages 15-40 years old with non-affective FEP participated in the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia-Early Treatment Program. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 34 community mental health treatment centers across the U.S. randomized to provide either an EIS program (NAVIGATE) or usual Community Care (CC) to FEP patients for 2 years. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) at baseline and 1- and 2-years later.

RESULTS

Older participants (≥20 years old) in both treatment groups improved on all BACS tests. Younger participants (15-19) in NAVIGATE improved significantly more on Digit Sequencing (working memory) than those in CC, whereas both groups improved on most of the other BACS tests. Improvements in cognitive functioning occurred mostly over the first year and were correlated with reductions in symptom severity.

DISCUSSION

EIS do not improve cognitive functioning more than usual care for older FEP patients but may improve working memory in younger FEP patients. Interventions targeting cognition may be required to enhance cognitive functioning in most FEP patients.

Sensory gating, neurocognition, social cognition and real-life functioning: a 2-year follow-up of early psychosis

BACKGROUND

Diminished sensory gating (SG) is a robust finding in psychotic disorders, but studies of early psychosis (EP) are rare. It is unknown whether SG deficit leads to poor neurocognitive, social, and/or real-world functioning. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal relationships between SG and these variables.

METHODS

Seventy-nine EP patients and 88 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited at baseline. Thirty-three and 20 EP patients completed 12-month and 24-month follow-up, respectively. SG was measured using the auditory dual-click (S1 & S2) paradigm and quantified as P50 ratio (S2/S1) and difference (S1-S2). Cognition, real-life functioning, and symptoms were assessed using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, Global Functioning: Social (GFS) and Role (GFR), Multnomah Community Ability Scale (MCAS), Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, mixed model, correlation and regression analyses were used for group comparisons and relationships among variables controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

In EP patients, P50 ratio (p < 0.05) and difference (p < 0.001) at 24-month showed significant differences compared with that at baseline. At baseline, P50 indices (ratio, S1-S2 difference, S1) were independently associated with GFR in HCs (all p < 0.05); in EP patients, S2 amplitude was independently associated with GFS (p = 0.037). At 12-month and 24-month, P50 indices (ratio, S1, S2) was independently associated with MCAS (all p < 0.05). S1-S2 difference was a trending predictor of future function (GFS or MCAS).

CONCLUSIONS

SG showed progressive reduction in EP patients. P50 indices were related to real-life functioning.

Neurocognitive Deficits in First-Episode and Chronic Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review from 2009 to 2022

Cognitive impairment in patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders has been discussed as a strong predictor for multiple disease outcome variables, such as response to psychotherapy, stable relationships, employment, and longevity. However, the consistency and severity of cognitive deficits across multiple domains in individuals with first-episode and chronic psychotic disorders is still undetermined. We provide a comprehensive overview of primary research from the years 2009 to 2022. Based on a Cochrane risk assessment, a systematic synthesis of 51 out of 3669 original studies was performed. Impairment of cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with first-episode psychotic disorders compared with healthy controls was predicted to occur in all assessed cognitive domains. Few overall changes were predicted for chronically affected patients relative to those in the first-episode stage, in line with previous longitudinal studies. Our research outcomes support the hypothesis of a global decrease in cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders, i.e., the occurrence of cognitive deficits in multiple cognitive domains including executive functioning, memory, working memory, psychomotor speed, and attention. Only mild increases in the frequency of cognitive impairment across studies were observed at the chronically affected stage relative to the first-episode stage. Our results confirm and extend the outcomes from prior reviews and meta-analyses. Recommendations for psychotherapeutic interventions are provided, considering the broad cognitive impairment already observed at the stage of the first episode. Based on the risk of bias assessment, we also make specific suggestions concerning the quality of future original studies.

The age of onset and cognitive impairment at the early stage of schizophrenia

In schizophrenia, the age of first episode onset can reflect genetic loading and predict prognosis. Little is known about the association between the age of onset and cognition among individuals with early-stage schizophrenia. We aimed to compare the pre-treatment neurocognition profile between individuals with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS, the age of onset < 18 years), typical-onset schizophrenia (TOS, the age of onset between 18 and 39 years), and late-onset schizophrenia (LOS, the age of onset between 40 and 59 years). We included individuals with a current diagnosis of schizophrenia within 3 years and medication naive or less than 2 weeks of cumulative antipsychotic exposure and current daily antipsychotic dosage equivalent to ≤ 15 mg of olanzapine. Assessments included the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We used linear regression to compare the difference between age-of-onset groups. We included 356 participants (67 EOS, 195 TOS, and 94 LOS). Compared with LOS, TOS was associated with lower scores in the verbal learning scores of the MCCB after adjusting for education years and the subscale scores of the PANSS (45.5 ± 12.9 vs. 40.5 ± 14.1, adjusted B = - 5.79, p = 0.001). The three groups had no difference in other cognitive domain scores. The association between the age of onset and MCCB verbal memory was U-shape (square of the age of onset, adjusted B = 0.02, p = 0.003). Patients with LOS had a better verbal learning function compared with individuals with TOS. These findings suggest that involvement of cognition assessment and rehabilitation training is necessary for patients with TOS.

Longitudinal changes of cognitive function and its relationship with subdomains of negative symptoms in patients with adult-onset first-episode schizophrenia: A 4-year follow up study

BACKGROUNDS

This study explores the longitudinal changes and trajectories of cognitive functions in patients with adult-onset first-episode schizophrenia (FES) over four years and their relationships with the baseline subdomains of negative symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 177 patients of age 25-55 with FES were recruited. Baseline demographics, clinical, social and cognitive functions were assessed. Diminished expression and diminished motivation of negative symptoms were assessed with Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Patients had yearly follow-up of cognitive function assessments over four years. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and mixed linear regression model were used to explore the longitudinal changes of cognitive functions and the effect of baseline negative symptoms on the longitudinal cognitive function changes. Relationships of baseline negative symptoms subdomains and cognitive functions were also explored.

RESULTS

Two trajectories of cognitive functions were identified. Longitudinal improvements were found in most cognitive functions apart from the logical memory. One trajectory of patients had significant deterioration of logical memory while the other group had significant improvement. Baseline diminished expression was associated with baseline and longitudinal changes of processing speed and verbal fluency while diminished motivation was associated with baseline and longitudinal changes of processing speed.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult-onset FES patients had a homogeneous longitudinal improvement in most cognitive functions but not for logical memory suggesting the unique nature of verbal memory. The distinct relationship between baseline subdomains of negative symptoms with baseline and longitudinal cognitive functions suggesting the presence of differential overlapping etiology between negative symptom subdomains and cognitive functions.

Cognitive trajectories following onset of psychosis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, associated with poor functional outcomes. The course of cognitive function in the years following illness onset has remained a subject of debate, with a previous analysis finding no worsening, providing support for the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. Since then, many more studies have reported on longitudinal cognitive performance in early psychosis, with some indicating deterioration, which does not align with this view.

AIMS

This study aims to quantitatively review the literature on the longitudinal trajectory of cognitive deficits in the years following psychosis onset, in comparison with healthy controls. It is the first to also synthesise longitudinal data on social cognition.

METHOD

Electronic databases ('PubMed', 'PsycInfo' and 'Scopus') were searched (to end September 2021). Meta-analyses of 25 longitudinal studies of cognition in early psychosis were conducted (1480 patients, 789 health controls). Unlike previous analyses, randomised controlled trials and those with multiple cognitive testing periods within the first year were excluded to minimise bias (PROSPERO, ID: CRD42021241525).

RESULTS

Small improvements were observed for global cognition (g = 0.25, 95% CI 0.17-0.33) and individual cognitive domains, but these were comparable with healthy controls and likely an artefact of practice effects.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence of continued cognitive decline or improvement in the early years following psychosis onset, with a need for more studies over longer follow-up periods. Practice effects highlight the importance of including control samples in longitudinal and intervention studies. Further data are needed to evaluate the course of social cognition subdomains.

Assessment of cognitive impairment in psychosis spectrum disorders through self-reported and interview-based measures

Self-reported and interview-based measures can be considered coprimary measures of cognitive performance. We aimed to ascertain to what extent cognitive impairment in psychotic disorders, as assessed with a neuropsychological battery, is associated with subjective cognitive complaints compared to difficulties in daily activities caused by cognitive impairment. We assessed 114 patients who had a psychotic disorder with a set of neuropsychological tests and two additional measures: the Cognitive Assessment Interview-Spanish version (CAI-Sp) and the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ). Patients also underwent a clinical assessment. The CAI-Sp correlated significantly with all the clinical dimensions, while the FCQ correlated only with positive and depressive symptoms. The CAI-Sp correlated significantly with all cognitive domains, except for verbal memory and social cognition. The FCQ was associated with attention, processing speed and working memory. The combination of manic and depressive symptoms and attention, processing speed, working memory and explained 38-46% of the variance in the patients' CAI-Sp. Education and negative symptoms, in combination with attention, processing speed, and executive functions, explained 54-59% of the CAI-Sp rater's variance. Only negative symptoms explained the variance in the CAI-Sp informant scores (37-42%). Depressive symptoms with attention and working memory explained 15% of the FCQ variance. The ability to detect cognitive impairment with the CAI-Sp and the FCQ opens the possibility to consider these instruments to approximate cognitive impairment in clinical settings due to their ease of application and because they are less time-consuming for clinicians.

Obstetric complications and cognition in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex brain disorder linked to cognitive and neurostructural abnormalities that involves genetic and environmental factors with obstetric complications (OCs) at birth conferring a high risk for the disease. Indeed, current research in the general population describes the deleterious effect of OCs on cognitive performance in adulthood. With this rationale, we aim to review the relationship between OCs and cognition in SZ and related psychotic disorders.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis describing cognitive function and OCs in patients with SZ and related disorders were conducted. PubMed, EmBase, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify eligible studies up to January 2022. We calculated the effect sizes (Hedges' g) of cognitive domains within each study and quantified the proportion of between-study variability using the I² statistic. Homogeneity was assessed using the Q-statistic (X²). The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018094238).

RESULTS

A total of 4124 studies were retrieved, with 10 studies meeting inclusion criteria for the systematic review and eight for meta-analysis. SZ subjects with OCs showed poor verbal memory [Hedges' g = -0.89 (95% CI -1.41 to -0.37), p < 0.001] and working memory performance [Hedges' g = -1.47 (95% CI -2.89 to -0.06), p = 0.01] in a random-effect model compared to those without OCs.

CONCLUSIONS

OCs appear to have a moderate impact on specific cognitive such as working memory and verbal memory. Our findings suggest that OCs are associated with brain development and might underlie the cognitive abnormalities described at onset of psychosis.

Ten-year course of cognition in first-episode non-affective psychosis patients: PAFIP cohort

BACKGROUND

A large body of research states that cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is static. Nevertheless, most previous studies lack a control group or have small study samples or short follow-up periods.

METHOD

We aimed to address these limitations by studying a large epidemiological cohort of patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a comparable control sample for a 10-year period.

RESULTS

Our results support the generalized stability of cognitive functions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders considering the entire group. However, the existence of a subgroup of patients characterized by deteriorating cognition and worse long-term clinical outcomes must be noted. Nevertheless, it was not possible to identify concomitant factors or predictors of deterioration (all Ps > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive functions in schizophrenia spectrum disorder are stable; however, a subgroup of subjects that deteriorate can be characterized.

Neurocognitive trajectories and their clinical implications in first-episode schizophrenia after one year of antipsychotic treatment

Neurocognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, and patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) are optimal candidates for cognitive remediation, but we do not know enough about the incidence, severity and longitudinal changes in neurocognitive impairment in those with FES. This study aimed to assess the neurocognitive trajectories of patients with FES and to compare the clinical and functional outcomes among those with different trajectories. A total of 562 untreated patients with FES completed a neurocognitive test battery and psychopathological and functional assessment. A total of 373 patients attended the follow-up. Group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) was applied to identify neurocognitive trajectories. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were conducted to compare demographic characteristics, multiple neurocognitive domains, and clinical and functional outcomes among the different subgroups. We identified three neurocognitive subgroups: preserved (n = 133), mildly to moderately impaired (n = 187) and severely impaired (n = 53). Neurocognitive function in the two impaired subgroups improved within a year but failed to reach the normal level. The processing speed followed trajectories similar to those of overall cognition. The three subgroups did not significantly differ in antipsychotic usage or clinical remission rate. The severely impaired subgroup had poorer functional outcomes than the preserved subgroup, but the mildly to moderately impaired subgroup did not. Patients with FES followed distinct neurocognitive trajectories during the first year of treatment. Patients with severe neurocognitive impairment have poorer functional outcomes, which require and are more likely to benefit from cognitive remediation. Processing speeding is a potential indicator for screening overall cognition.

The impact of cognitive reserve, cognition and clinical symptoms on psychosocial functioning in first-episode psychoses

BACKGROUND

Functional impairment is a defining feature of psychotic disorders. A range of factors has been shown to influence functioning, including negative symptoms, cognitive performance and cognitive reserve (CR). However, it is not clear how these variables may affect functioning in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. This 2-year follow-up study aimed to explore the possible mediating effects of CR on the relationship between cognitive performance or specific clinical symptoms and functional outcome.

METHODS

A prospective study of non-affective FEP patients was performed (211 at baseline and 139 at follow-up). CR was entered in a path analysis model as potential mediators between cognitive domains or clinical symptoms and functioning.

RESULTS

At baseline, the relationship between clinical variables or cognitive performance and functioning was not mediated by CR. At follow-up, the effect of attention (p = 0.003) and negative symptoms (p = 0.012) assessed at baseline on functioning was partially mediated by CR (p = 0.032 and 0.016), whereas the relationship between verbal memory (p = 0.057) and functioning was mediated by CR (p = 0.014). Verbal memory and positive and total subscales of PANSS assessed at follow-up were partially mediated by CR and the effect of working memory on functioning was totally mediated by CR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed the influence of CR in mediating the relationship between cognitive domains or clinical symptoms and functioning in FEP. In particular, CR partially mediated the relationship between some cognitive domains or clinical symptoms and functioning at follow-up. Therefore, CR could improve our understanding of the long-term functioning of patients with a non-affective FEP.

Cognitive clusters in first-episode psychosis

Impairments in a broad range of cognitive domains have been consistently reported in some individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Cognitive deficits can be observed during the prodromal stage. However, the course of cognitive deficits is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify cognitive subgroups over time and to compare their sociodemographic, clinical and functional profiles. A total of 114 patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders were included in the present study. We assessed subjects through psychiatric scales and eight neuropsychological tests at baseline and at two-year follow-up visit. We performed the Partition Around Medoids algorithm with all cognitive variables. Furthermore, we performed a logistic regression to identify the predictors related to the different cognitive clusters at follow-up. Two distinct subgroups were found: the first cluster characterized by cognitive impairment and a second cluster had relatively intact cognition in comparison with norms. Up to 54.7% of patients with cognitive deficits at baseline tended to improve during the first two years of treatment. Patients with intact cognition at follow-up had a higher socioeconomic status, later age of onset, lower negative symptoms and a higher cognitive reserve (CR) at baseline. CR and age of onset were the baseline variables that predicted cognitive impairment. This research allows us to obtain a better understanding of the heterogeneous profile of psychotic disorders. Identifying the characteristics of patients who will present a cognitive impairment could improve early detection and intervention. These results suggest that enhancing CR could contribute to improving the course of the illness.

Changes of neurocognitive status in patients with the first-episode psychosis after 18 months of treatment-A prospective cohort study

Neurocognitive symptoms exert the most influence on treatment outcomes over the course of schizophrenia, starting from the first-episode of psychosis (FEP) onwards. Our aim was to analyze the neurocognitive status of FEP compared to healthy controls (HC), and its change after 18 months of treatment. We performed a study in a sample of 159 patients with FEP and 100 HC. We followed the patients up for 18 months after initial assessment with a battery of neurocognitive tests. We observed statistically significant improvement in the majority of neurocognitive tests after 18 months, but several tests of specific neurocognitive domains (verbal memory, language functions, executive functions) did not show significant differences between the two assessments. The results for the majority of tests obtained from patients with FEP after 18 months of treatment showed significant deterioration compared with HC. Although our study showed significant improvement of baseline neurocognitive deficits in FEP with treatment, this varied across domains and overall performance remained below that of HC. Thus, while it seems that treatment of FEP may help to delay or restore neurocognitive deterioration, it is unclear whether specific areas of neurocognitive deterioration (e.g. verbal domain) would benefit from more time or specific treatment approaches.

The prevention of relapses in first episodes of schizophrenia: The 2EPs Project, background, rationale and study design

Up to 80% of first-episode psychosis patients suffer a relapse within five years of the remission. Relapse should be an important focus of prevention given the potential harm to the patient and family. It threatens to disrupt their psychosocial recovery, increases the risk of resistance to treatment and has been associated with greater direct and indirect costs for society. Based on a previous project entitled "Genotype-phenotype and environment. Application to a predictive model in first psychotic episodes" (PEPs Project), the project "Clinical and neurobiological determinants of second episodes of schizophrenia. Longitudinal study of first episode of psychosis" was designed, also known as the 2EPs Project. It aimed to identify and characterize those factors that predict a relapse within the years immediately following a first episode. This project has focused on following the clinical course, with neuropsychological assessments, biological and neuroanatomical measures, genetic adherence and physical health monitoring in order to compare a subgroup of patients with a second episode to another group of patients which remains in remission. The main objective of the present article is to describe the rationale of the 2EPs Project, explaining the measurement approach adopted and providing an overview of the selected clinical and functional measures. 2EPs Project is a multicenter, coordinated, naturalistic, longitudinal follow-up study over three years in a Spanish sample of patients in remission after a first-psychotic episode of schizophrenia. It is closely monitoring the clinical course of the cases recruited to compare the subgroup of patients with a second episode to that which remains in remission. The sample is composed of 223 subjects recruited from 15 clinical centres in Spain with experience of the preceding PEPs Study project, albeit 2EPs being an expanded version with new basic groups in biological research. From the total sample recruited, 63 patients presented a relapse (44%). 2EPs arose to characterize first episodes in an exhaustive, novel and multimodal way, thus contributing towards the development of a predictive model of relapse. Identifying the characteristics of patients who relapse could improve early detection and intervention.

Association Between the Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Selective Cognitive Performance in Community-Dwelling Individuals With Chronic Untreated Schizophrenia in Rural China

IMPORTANCE

Cognitive deficits constitute core features of schizophrenia, but the trajectories of cognitive difficulties in chronic untreated schizophrenia remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of neuropsychological deficits with duration of untreated psychosis in individuals with chronic untreated schizophrenia.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling individuals with chronic untreated schizophrenia (untreated patient group) and individuals without mental illness (control group) were recruited from predominantly rural communities in Ningxia, China between June 20, 2016, and August 6, 2019, and administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Mini-Mental State Examination, an 8-test version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognition Battery adapted for use in individuals with low levels of education, and a measure of social cognition.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Comparison of cognitive test scores between the two groups and association of cognitive test scores with duration of untreated schizophrenia.

RESULTS

The patient group included 197 individuals with chronic untreated schizophrenia (101 men [51.3%]; mean [SD] age, 52.1 [11.8] years; median [interquartile range] years of schooling, 3 [0-6] years; median [interquartile range] years of untreated psychosis, 22.9 [14.9-32.8] years). The control group included 220 individuals (118 men [53.6%]; mean [SD] age, 52.1 [11.2] years; median [interquartile range] years of schooling, 4 [0-6] years). The untreated patient group performed significantly worse than the control group on all cognitive measures (adjusted partial Spearman correlation coefficient [Spearman ρ] ranged from -0.35 for the revised Chinese version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test to -0.60 for the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised; P < .001 for all comparisons). Longer durations of untreated psychosis were associated with lower performance in 3 MATRICS Consensus Cognition Battery measures assessing different aspects of executive functioning (Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised [ρ = -0.20; P = .04]; Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Symbol Coding subtest [ρ = -0.35; P < .001]; and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, Mazes subtest [ρ = -0.24; P = .01]). The median duration of untreated psychosis (22.9 years) was associated with estimated score reductions in the 3 measures of 34% (95% CI, 10%-52%), 43% (95% CI, 28%-55%), and 57% (95% CI, 31%-73%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings of this study suggest that long-term untreated schizophrenia was associated with decreases in selective cognitive abilities; both neurodegenerative pathology and neurodevelopmental dysfunction may be factors in cognition in persistent psychosis. Expanding research to include cohorts of patients from underserved rural communities in low- and middle-income countries may provide new insights about the etiological factors, disease course, and management of schizophrenia.

The prevention of relapses in first episodes of schizophrenia: The 2EPs Project, background, rationale and study design

Up to 80% of first-episode psychosis patients suffer a relapse within five years of the remission. Relapse should be an important focus of prevention given the potential harm to the patient and family. It threatens to disrupt their psychosocial recovery, increases the risk of resistance to treatment and has been associated with greater direct and indirect costs for society. Based on a previous project entitled "Genotype-phenotype and environment. Application to a predictive model in first psychotic episodes" (PEPs Project), the project "Clinical and neurobiological determinants of second episodes of schizophrenia. Longitudinal study of first episode of psychosis" was designed, also known as the 2EPs Project. It aimed to identify and characterize those factors that predict a relapse within the years immediately following a first episode. This project has focused on following the clinical course, with neuropsychological assessments, biological and neuroanatomical measures, genetic adherence and physical health monitoring in order to compare a subgroup of patients with a second episode to another group of patients which remains in remission. The main objective of the present article is to describe the rationale of the 2EPs Project, explaining the measurement approach adopted and providing an overview of the selected clinical and functional measures. 2EPs Project is a multicenter, coordinated, naturalistic, longitudinal follow-up study over three years in a Spanish sample of patients in remission after a first-psychotic episode of schizophrenia. It is closely monitoring the clinical course of the cases recruited to compare the subgroup of patients with a second episode to that which remains in remission. The sample is composed of 223 subjects recruited from 15 clinical centres in Spain with experience of the preceding PEPs Study project, albeit 2EPs being an expanded version with new basic groups in biological research. From the total sample recruited, 63 patients presented a relapse (44%). 2EPs arose to characterize first episodes in an exhaustive, novel and multimodal way, thus contributing towards the development of a predictive model of relapse. Identifying the characteristics of patients who relapse could improve early detection and intervention.

Verbal memory measurement towards digital perspectives in first-episode psychosis: A review

BACKGROUND

Even in the early phases of psychotic spectrum illnesses such as schizophrenia, patients can experience cognitive decline or deficits prior to the onset of psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. In this systematic review, we assessed which verbal memory assessments are most widely used in first-episode psychosis and may be applied via digital technologies (smartphone applications, etc.) for use in early detection.

METHODS

In November 2019, we searched for studies measuring verbal memory in first episode psychosis or schizophrenia over the past 10 years on PubMed and PsycINFO. We screened abstracts of these studies and excluded review studies. Full-texts of included studies were used to identify the verbal memory measurement tests, follow-up frequencies, and sample sizes.

RESULTS

We screened 233 reports and found that 120 original research studies measured verbal memory in first episode psychosis over the past 10 years. Four of these studies specified using a computer, 24 (20%) used a paper-pen format, 1(1%) used both, and 91 (76%) studies did not specify their administration tools or suggest there were offered in digital formats. Thirty-five (30%) studies had follow-up measurements of verbal memory, while 85 (70%) had only a single verbal memory measurement.

DISCUSSION

While many scales are commonly used to measure verbal memory in first episode psychosis, they are not often administered via digital technology. There is an emerging opportunity to administer these and other tests via digital technologies for expanding access to early detection of cognitive decline in clinical high risk and first-episode psychosis.

Is cognitive performance associated with anxiety and depression in first-episode psychosis?

BACKGROUND

In first-episode psychosis (FEP), symptoms of anxiety and depression are common. We examined whether cognitive performance is associated with these clinical measures in FEP during a one-year follow-up.

METHODS

Young adults with non-affective FEP (n = 52) were assessed two months after their first psychiatric contact for psychosis. Matched controls (n = 62) were administered a baseline assessment. 32 FEP subjects and 44 controls were assessed again at a one-year follow-up. In both assessments, a broad neuropsychological test battery was administered. Clinical evaluation was done with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Cross-sectional correlations were calculated at both time points. Cognitive test scores were used as independent variables in regression models, predicting both baseline and follow-up symptom levels.

RESULTS

At baseline, better performance especially in verbal memory and executive functioning was associated with elevated anxiety symptoms in FEP. In addition, better performance especially in verbal working memory was associated with depression. A year later, better cognitive performance was no longer associated with affective symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

Small sample sizes are a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the FEP group, higher cognitive performance associated with affective symptoms. Right after getting severely ill, anxiety and depression may be a part of normal adaptive reactions to the situation and markers of an intact cognitive performance. This association seems to cease during the year following the FEP.

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.

Long-term cognitive trajectories and heterogeneity in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the heterogeneity and stability of cognition in patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder and their unaffected siblings. In addition, we aimed to predict the cognitive subtypes of siblings by their probands.

METHOD

Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 and 6 years in 1119 patients, 1059 siblings and 586 controls from the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) study. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify trajectories and clustered multinomial logistic regression analysis was used for prediction modeling. A composite score of eight neurocognitive tests was used to measure cognitive performance.

RESULTS

Five stable cognitive trajectories ranging from severely altered to high cognitive performance were identified in patients. Likewise, four stable trajectories ranging from moderately altered to high performance were found in siblings. Siblings had a higher risk of cognitive alteration when patients' alteration was mild (OR = 2.21), moderate (OR = 5.70), and severe (OR = 10.07) compared with patients with intact cognitive function. The familial correlation coefficient between pairs of index patients and their siblings was 0.27 (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The cognitive profiles identified in the current study might be suitable as endophenotypes and could be used in future genetic studies and predicting functional and clinical outcomes.

Cognitive Deficits in Psychotic Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective

Individuals with disorders that include psychotic symptoms (i.e. psychotic disorders) experience broad cognitive impairments in the chronic state, indicating a dimension of abnormality associated with the experience of psychosis. These impairments negatively impact functional outcome, contributing to the disabling nature of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression. The robust and reliable nature of cognitive deficits has led researchers to explore the timing and profile of impairments, as this may elucidate different neurodevelopmental patterns in individuals who experience psychosis. Here, we review the literature on cognitive deficits across the life span of individuals with psychotic disorder and psychotic-like experiences, highlighting the dimensional nature of both psychosis and cognitive ability. We identify premorbid generalized cognitive impairment in schizophrenia that worsens throughout development, and stabilizes by the first-episode of psychosis, suggesting a neurodevelopmental course. Research in affective psychosis is less clear, with mixed evidence regarding premorbid deficits, but a fairly reliable generalized deficit at first-episode, which appears to worsen into the chronic state. In general, cognitive impairments are most severe in schizophrenia, intermediate in bipolar disorder, and the least severe in psychotic depression. In all groups, cognitive deficits are associated with poorer functional outcome. Finally, while the generalized deficit is the clearest and most reliable signal, data suggests specific deficits in verbal memory across all groups, specific processing speed impairments in schizophrenia and executive functioning impairments in bipolar disorder. Cognitive deficits are a core feature of psychotic disorders that provide a window into understanding developmental course and risk for psychosis.