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Stone WS, Cai B, Liu X, Grivel MMR, Yu G, Xu Y, Ouyang X, Chen H, Deng F, Xue F, Li H, Lieberman JA, Keshavan MS, Susser ES, Yang LH, Phillips MR. Association Between the Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Selective Cognitive Performance in Community-Dwelling Individuals With Chronic Untreated Schizophrenia in Rural China. JAMA Psychiatry 2020; 77:1116-1126. [PMID: 32639517 PMCID: PMC7344798 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S. Stone
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bing Cai
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Margaux M.-R. Grivel
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Gary Yu
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Yangmu Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xinyi Ouyang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanhui Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Deng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Xue
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijun Li
- Department of Psychology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee
| | - Jeffrey A. Lieberman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York
| | - Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ezra S. Susser
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Lawrence H. Yang
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Michael R. Phillips
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai, China,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Dickson H, Hedges EP, Ma SY, Cullen AE, MacCabe JH, Kempton MJ, Downs J, Laurens KR. Academic achievement and schizophrenia: a systematic meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2020; 50:1949-1965. [PMID: 32684198 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairments in childhood are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia in later life, but the extent to which poor academic achievement is associated with the disorder is unclear. METHODS Major databases were searched for articles published in English up to 31 December 2019. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to: (1) compare general academic and mathematics achievement in youth who later developed schizophrenia and those who did not; (2) to examine the association between education level achieved and adult-onset schizophrenia; and, (3) compare general academic achievement in youth at-risk for schizophrenia and typically developing peers. Meta-regression models examined the effects of type of academic assessment, educational system, age at assessment, measurement of educational level attained, school leaving age, and study quality on academic achievement and education level among individuals with schizophrenia. RESULTS Meta-analyses, comprising data of over four million individuals, found that: (1) by age 16 years, those who later developed schizophrenia had poorer general academic (Cohen's d = -0.29, p ⩽ 0.0001) and mathematics achievement (d = -0.23, p = 0.01) than those who did not; (2) individuals with schizophrenia were less likely to enter higher education (odds ratio = 0.49, p ⩽ 0.0001); and, (3) youth reporting psychotic-like experiences and youth with a family history of schizophrenia had lower general academic achievement (d = -0.54, p ⩽ 0.0001; d = -0.39, p ⩽ 0.0001, respectively). Meta-regression analyses determined no effect modifiers. DISCUSSION Despite significant heterogeneity across studies, various routinely collected indices of academic achievement can identify premorbid cognitive dysfunction among individuals who are vulnerable for schizophrenia, potentially aiding the early identification of risk in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Dickson
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emily P Hedges
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Shin Y Ma
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alexis E Cullen
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - James H MacCabe
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Kempton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Johnny Downs
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kristin R Laurens
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Psychology and Counselling, and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
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Blest-Hopley G, Colizzi M, Giampietro V, Bhattacharyya S. Is the Adolescent Brain at Greater Vulnerability to the Effects of Cannabis? A Narrative Review of the Evidence. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:859. [PMID: 33005157 PMCID: PMC7479242 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use during the critical neurodevelopmental period of adolescence, may lead to brain structural, functional, and histological alterations that may underpin some of the longer-term behavioral and psychological harms associated with it. The endocannabinoid system performs a key regulatory and homeostatic role, that undergoes developmental changes during adolescence making it potentially more susceptible to the effects of exposure to cannabis during adolescence. Here, we synthesize evidence from human studies of adolescent cannabis users showing alterations in cognitive performance as well as in brain structure and function with relevant preclinical evidence to summarize the current state of knowledge. We also focus on the limited evidence that speaks to the hypothesis that cannabis use during adolescence, may pose a greater risk than use during adulthood, identify gaps in current evidence and suggest directions for new research. Existing literature is consistent with the association of cannabis use during adolescence and neurological changes. Adolescence cannabis users show altered functional connectivity within known functional circuits, that may underlie inefficient recruitment of brain regions, as largely increased functional activation has been observed compared to controls. This disruption in some cases may contribute to the development of adverse mental health conditions; increasing the chances or accelerating the onset, of their development. Preclinical evidence, further supports disruption from cannabis use being specific to the developmental period. Future studies are required to better investigate adolescent cannabis use with more accuracy using better defined groups or longitudinal studies and examine the permanency of these changes following caseation of use. Furthermore, research is required to identify heritable risk factors to cannabis use. There is a need for caution when considering the therapeutic potential of cannabis for adolescence and particularly in public discourse leading to potential trivialization of possible harm from cannabis use in adolescence. Current evidence indicates that adolescence is a sensitive period during which cannabis use may result in adverse neurocognitive effects that appear to show a level of permanency into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Colizzi
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.,Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Van Haren NEM, Van Dam DS, Stellato RK. Change in IQ in schizophrenia patients and their siblings: a controlled longitudinal study. Psychol Med 2019; 49:2573-2581. [PMID: 30674361 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718003537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower intelligence quotient (IQ) has frequently been reported in patients with schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether IQ declines (further) after illness onset and what the familial contribution is to this change. Therefore, we investigate IQ changes during the course of illness in patients with non-affective psychosis, their siblings and controls. METHODS Data are part of the longitudinal Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) study in the Netherlands and Belgium. Participants underwent three measurements, each approximately 3 years apart. A total of 1022 patients with non-affective psychosis [illness duration: 4.34 (s.d. = 4.50) years], 977 of their siblings, and 565 controls had at least one measure of IQ (estimated from four subtests of the WAIS-III). RESULTS At baseline, IQ was significantly lower in patients (IQ = 97.8) and siblings (IQ = 108.2; p < 0.0001) than in controls (IQ = 113.0; p < 0.0001), and in patients as compared with siblings (p < 0.0001). Over time, IQ increased in all groups. In siblings, improvement in IQ was significantly more pronounced (+0.7 points/year) than in patients (+0.5 points/year; p < 0.0001) and controls (+0.3 points/year; p < 0.0001). IQ increase was not significantly correlated with improvement in (sub)clinical outcome in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS During the first 10 years of the illness, IQ increases to a similar (and subtle) extent in a relatively high-functioning group of schizophrenia patients and controls, despite the lower IQ in patients at baseline. In addition, the siblings' IQ was intermediate at baseline, but over time the increase in IQ was more pronounced.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E M Van Haren
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D S Van Dam
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R K Stellato
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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