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Wykes T. "Food for Thought": Improving Cognition in People With Schizophrenia. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:803-809. [PMID: 39111751 PMCID: PMC11321879 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We have known that cognitive difficulties are related to functional outcomes in schizophrenia for many years. However, we have only paid attention to potential treatments relatively recently, so implementation has been slow. METHODS This is a narrative review describing the development of cognitive remediation treatments to improve cognitive skills and their effects on functioning. It also reviews the types of cognitive remediation with some evidence on their effects. RESULTS Models of treatment have now been clarified and have led to a landmark paper by cognitive remediation experts around the world on the ingredients of cognitive remediation to produce the most benefit. This expert judgement on good clinical practice was justified by a large meta-analysis that supported the extra benefit of the four ingredients: an active therapist, massed practice of cognitive skills, the teaching of cognitive strategies and additional rehabilitation to transfer skills to real life. CONCLUSION Although there is evidence of efficacy and of the beneficial therapy ingredients there is little implementation of cognitive remediation, so the establishment of cognitive remediation into mental health services needs an implementation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Til Wykes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Tinch-Taylor R, Pickles A, Stringer D, Csipke E, Cella M, McCrone P, Reeder C, Birchwood M, Fowler D, Greenwood K, Johnson S, Perez J, Ritunnano R, Thompson A, Upthegrove R, Wilson J, Kenny A, Isok I, Joyce EM, Wykes T. Understanding the Mechanisms of Cognitive Remediation on Recovery in People With Early Psychosis: A Mediation and Moderation Analysis. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae021. [PMID: 38428943 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To provide precision cognitive remediation therapy (CR) for schizophrenia, we need to understand whether the mechanism for improved functioning is via cognition improvements. This mechanism has not been rigorously tested for potential moderator effects. STUDY DESIGN We used data (n = 377) from a randomized controlled trial using CIRCuiTS, a therapist-supported CR, with participants from first-episode psychosis services. We applied structured equation modeling to test whether: (1) CR hours explain the goal attainment functional outcome (GAS) at posttreatment, (2) global cognitive improvement mediates GAS, and if (3) total symptoms moderate the CR hours to cognitive improvement pathway, and/or negative symptoms moderate the cognition to functioning pathway, testing moderator effects via the mediator or directly on CR hours to functioning path. STUDY RESULTS CR produced significant functioning benefit for each therapy hour (Coeff = 0.203, 95% CI 0.101-0.304, P < .001). The mediated path from CR hours to cognition and cognition to functioning was small and nonsignificant (Coeff = 0.014, 95% CI = -0.010, 0.037, P = .256). Total symptoms did not moderate the path to cognition (P = .211) or the direct path to outcome (P = .896). However, negative symptoms significantly moderated the effect of cognitive improvements on functioning (P = .015) with high negative symptoms reducing the functional gains of improved cognition. CONCLUSIONS Although cognitive improvements were correlated with functioning benefit, they did not fully explain the positive effect of increased therapy hours on functioning, suggesting additional CR factors also contribute to therapy benefit. Negative symptoms interfere with the translation of cognitive improvements into functional gains so need consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Tinch-Taylor
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Pickles
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dominic Stringer
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emese Csipke
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matteo Cella
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Paul McCrone
- School of Health Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Clare Reeder
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Max Birchwood
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - David Fowler
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Sonia Johnson
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jesus Perez
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosa Ritunnano
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | | | - Jon Wilson
- Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Alex Kenny
- Patient Advisory Board, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Iris Isok
- Patient Advisory Board, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Eileen M Joyce
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Til Wykes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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3
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Montaner-Ferrer MJ, Gadea M, Sanjuán J. Cognition and social functioning in first episode psychosis: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1055012. [PMID: 36950257 PMCID: PMC10025326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1055012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This systematic review aimed to answer whether we can predict subsequent social functioning in first episode psychosis (FEP) by means of an initial cognitive examination. In order to do this, we gathered longitudinal studies which evaluated neurocognition and/or social cognition regarding their impact on long-term social functioning of FEP patients. Methods The MOOSE method was employed and 28 studies covering data from a total of 2572 patients with longitudinal trajectories from 2 months to 5 years were reviewed. Results In general, cognitive deficits impacted on the social functioning of the FEP patients across the time. The neurocognitive domains which most closely predicted social functioning were processing speed, sustained attention and working memory. An overall cognitive dysfunction, low IQ and the academic trajectory were also found predictive. Regarding social cognition, the findings were not unanimous. Discussion In addition of the impact of each variable, several of the articles found a complex relationship between social cognition, neurocognition, social functioning and negative symptoms, pointing social cognition as a modulator of neurocognition but being modulated as well by negative symptoms. The principal clinical implication of this review is that the initial assessment of FEP patients and their rehabilitation must take cognition into account.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marien Gadea
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- CIBERSAM-Mental Health, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Marien Gadea,
| | - Julio Sanjuán
- CIBERSAM-Mental Health, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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4
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Ruiz-Delgado I, Moreno-Küstner B, García-Medina M, Barrigón ML, Gonzalez-Higueras F, López-Carrilero R, Barrios-Mellado I, Barajas A, Pousa E, Lorente-Rovira E, Grasa E, Cid J, Barrau-Sastre P, Moritz S, Ochoa S. Is Metacognitive Training effective for improving neurocognitive function in patients with a recent onset of psychosis? Psychiatry Res 2022; 318:114941. [PMID: 36375331 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The aims are to assess improvements in memory, attention and executive function in first-episode psychosis after Metacognitive Training (MCT). A multicenter randomized clinical trial was performed with two arms: MCT and psychoeducational intervention. A total of 126 patients with a diagnosis of psychosis, less than 5 years from the onset of the disease, were included. Patients were assessed two or three moments (baseline, post-treatment, 6 months follow-up) depending on the test, with a battery of neurocognitive tests (TAVEC, TMTA-B, CPT, WCST, Stroop and premorbid IQ). General linear models for repeated measures were performed. A better improvement in the MCT was found by an interaction between group and time in CPT Hit index, TMTB, Stroop, recent memory and number of perseverations of the TAVEC. Considering three assessments, a better improvement was found in non-perseverative, perseverative and total errors of the WCST and TMTB. The MCT is an effective psychological intervention to improve several cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ruiz-Delgado
- UGC Salud Mental Hospital Regional de Málaga. Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain.
| | - Berta Moreno-Küstner
- PhD Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological treatments. Faculty of Psychology,University of Málaga. Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA) Spain, GAP Research Group, Spain
| | | | - María Luisa Barrigón
- UGC Salud Mental Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain
| | | | - Raquel López-Carrilero
- Etiopatogènia i tractament dels trastorns mentals greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat. Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain
| | - Irene Barrios-Mellado
- UGC Salud Mental Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío. Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain
| | - Ana Barajas
- Department of Research, Centre d'Higiene Mental Les Corts, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellatera, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Serra Húnter Programme, Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Pousa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain; Servei de Psiquiatría Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
| | - Esther Lorente-Rovira
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain; Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva Grasa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain; Servei de Psiquiatría Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Spain
| | - Jordi Cid
- Mental Health & Addiction Research Group, IdiBGi, Institut d'Assistencia Sanitària, Girona, Spain
| | - Paula Barrau-Sastre
- Etiopatogènia i tractament dels trastorns mentals greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat. Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Universitat Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susana Ochoa
- Etiopatogènia i tractament dels trastorns mentals greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat. Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid Spain.
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5
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Palmer-Cooper E, McGuire N, Wright A. Unusual experiences and their association with metacognition: investigating ASMR and Tulpamancy. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2022; 27:86-104. [PMID: 34743647 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2021.1999798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unusual experiences in Tulpamancer and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) communities are generally positive and sought after, unlike hallucinations and delusions in clinical populations. Metacognition, the ability to reflect on self-referential experiences, may aid sense-making around unusual experiences, reducing distress. This study investigated group differences in hallucination-proneness, delusion-proneness, and metacognition in these communities compared to controls, and whether metacognition predicted unusual experiences. METHODS 243 participants reporting ASMR, Tulpamancy, or neither, with no history of psychosis, took part in an online observational study. Participants completed the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Metacognitions Questionnaire-30, and Brief Core Schema Scales to capture metacognition. A Tulpamancer+ (reporting ASMR) group was identified and included in analyses. ANCOVAs highlighted group differences in hallucination-proneness, with Tulpamancer+ scoring higher, and metacognitive beliefs, with Tulpamancers reporting lower metacognitive belief endorsement. There were no group differences in delusion-proneness, self-reflection, or self-schemas. Stepwise regression demonstrated metacognition does influence unusual experiences in the non-clinical population, and this influence varies across groups. CONCLUSIONS In non-clinical populations, unusual sensory experiences are not associated with increased metacognitive beliefs, but having multiple unusual experiences is associated with higher hallucination-proneness. Results suggest improving metacognition in clinical groups may help reduce distress related to unusual sensory experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Palmer-Cooper
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Nicola McGuire
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Abigail Wright
- Center of Excellence for Psychosocial and Systemic Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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6
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Ferrer-Quintero M, Fernández D, López-Carrilero R, Birulés I, Barajas A, Lorente-Rovira E, Díaz-Cutraro L, Verdaguer M, García-Mieres H, Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones J, Gutiérrez-Zotes A, Grasa E, Pousa E, Huerta-Ramos E, Pélaez T, Barrigón ML, González-Higueras F, Ruiz-Delgado I, Cid J, Moritz S, Ochoa S. Persons with first episode psychosis have distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2021; 7:61. [PMID: 34887442 PMCID: PMC8660816 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00187-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Subjects with first-episode psychosis experience substantial deficits in social cognition and metacognition. Although previous studies have investigated the role of profiles of individuals in social cognition and metacognition in chronic schizophrenia, profiling subjects with first-episode psychosis in both domains remains to be investigated. We used latent profile analysis to derive profiles of the abilities in 174 persons with first-episode psychosis using the Beck's Cognitive Insight Scale, the Faces Test, the Hinting Task, the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire, and the Beads Task. Participants received a clinical assessment and a neuropsychological assessment. The best-fitting model was selected according to the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). We assessed the importance of the variables via a classification tree (CART). We derived three clusters with distinct profiles. The first profile (33.3%) comprised individuals with low social cognition. The second profile (60.9%) comprised individuals that had more proneness to present jumping to conclusions. The third profile (5.7%) presented a heterogeneous profile of metacognitive deficits. Persons with lower social cognition presented worse clinical and neuropsychological features than cluster 2 and cluster 3. Cluster 3 presented significantly worst functioning. Our results suggest that individuals with FEP present distinct profiles that concur with specific clinical, neuropsychological, and functional challenges. Each subgroup may benefit from different interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ferrer-Quintero
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Psicologia Social i Psicologia Quantitativa, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Fernández
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R López-Carrilero
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Birulés
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Psicologia Social i Psicologia Quantitativa, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Barajas
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Research, Centre d'Higiene Mental Les Corts, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Lorente-Rovira
- Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Psychiatry Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Díaz-Cutraro
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Verdaguer
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - H García-Mieres
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Health Research Institute (IdISSC), Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Gutiérrez-Zotes
- Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - E Grasa
- Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Pousa
- Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Salut Mental Parc Taulí. Sabadell (Barcelona), Hospital Universitari - UAB Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Neuropsiquiatria i Addicions, Hospital del Mar, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Huerta-Ramos
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Pélaez
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M L Barrigón
- Department of Psychiatry, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital (Madrid), Madrid, Spain.,Psychiatry Service, Area de Gestión Sanitaria Sur Granada, Motril (Granada), Spain
| | | | - I Ruiz-Delgado
- Unidad de Salud Mental Comunitaria Malaga Norte, Málaga, Spain
| | - J Cid
- Mental Health & Addiction Research Group, IdiBGi, Institut d'Assistencia Sanitària, Girona, Spain
| | - S Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - S Ochoa
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain. .,Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain.
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7
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Cowman M, Holleran L, Lonergan E, O’Connor K, Birchwood M, Donohoe G. Cognitive Predictors of Social and Occupational Functioning in Early Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:1243-1253. [PMID: 33761534 PMCID: PMC8379554 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Many individuals with early psychosis experience impairments in social and occupational function. Identification of modifiable predictors of function such as cognitive performance has the potential to inform effective treatments. Our aim was to estimate the strength of the relationship between psychosocial function in early psychosis and different domains of cognitive and social cognitive performance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies examining cognitive predictors of psychosocial function. Literature searches were conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed, and reference lists of relevant articles to identify studies for inclusion. Of the 2565 identified, 46 studies comprising 3767 participants met inclusion criteria. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for 9 cognitive domains. Pearson correlation values between cognitive variables and function were extracted. All cognitive domains were related to psychosocial function both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Importantly, these associations remained significant even after the effects of symptom severity, duration of untreated psychosis, and length of illness were accounted for. Overall, general cognitive ability and social cognition were most strongly associated with both concurrent and long-term function. Associations demonstrated medium effect sizes. These findings suggest that treatments targeting cognitive deficits, in particular those focusing on social cognition, are likely to be important for improving functional outcomes in early psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Cowman
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition & Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Laurena Holleran
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition & Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Edgar Lonergan
- First Episode Psychosis Service, South Lee Mental Health Service, Cork, Ireland
| | - Karen O’Connor
- First Episode Psychosis Service, South Lee Mental Health Service, Cork, Ireland
| | - Max Birchwood
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Gary Donohoe
- Centre for Neuroimaging, Cognition & Genomics (NICOG), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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8
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Brain structural correlates of functional capacity in first-episode psychosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17229. [PMID: 33056996 PMCID: PMC7560620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired functional capacity is a core feature of schizophrenia and presents even in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. Impairments in daily functioning tend to persist despite antipsychotic therapy but their neural basis is less clear. Previous studies suggest that volume loss in frontal cortex might be an important contributor, but findings are inconsistent. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the brain structural correlates of functional capacity in FEP using MRI and a reliable objective measure of functioning [University of California, San Diego Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA)]. In a sample of FEP (n = 39) and a well-matched control group (n = 21), we measured cortical thickness, gray matter volume, and white matter tract integrity (fractional anisotropy, FA) within brain regions implicated by previous work. The FEP group had thinner cortex in various frontal regions and fusiform, and reduced FA in inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). In FEP, poorer functional capacity correlated with reduced superior frontal volume and lower FA in left ILF. Importantly, frontal brain volumes and integrity of the ILF were identified as the structural correlates of functional capacity in FEP, controlling for other relevant factors. These findings enhance mechanistic understanding of functional capacity deficits in schizophrenia by specifying the underlying neural correlates. In future, this could help inform intervention strategies.
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9
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Alkan E, Davies G, Greenwood K, Evans SLH. Brain Structural Correlates of Metacognition in First-Episode Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:552-561. [PMID: 31776577 PMCID: PMC7147593 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metacognition is impaired in schizophrenia and is an important predictor of functional outcome, but the underlying neuropathology is not clear. Studies have implicated frontal regions and there is also some evidence that the hippocampus might play a pivotal role, but findings are inconsistent. We set out to more comprehensively investigate the neural underpinnings of insight in first-episode psychosis (FEP) using 2 metacognitive measures (the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale [BCIS]) and a perceptual metacognitive accuracy task alongside structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We measured cortical thickness in insula and frontal regions, hippocampal (including subfield) volumes, hippocampal microstructure (using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [NODDI]), and fractional anisotropy in fornix. Relative to controls, FEP showed poorer metacognitive accuracy, thinner cortex in frontal regions and lower fornix integrity. In healthy controls (but not FEP), metacognitive accuracy correlated with cortical thickness in frontal cortex and insula. Conversely, in FEP (but not controls), metacognitive accuracy correlated with hippocampal volume and microstructural indices. Subicular hippocampal subregions were particularly implicated. No structural correlates of BCIS were found. These findings suggest that the neural bases of metacognition might differ in FEP: hippocampal (rather than frontal) integrity seems to be critical. Further, the use of objectively measured metacognitive indices seems to be a more powerful method for understanding the neurocircuitry of metacognition in FEP, which has the potential to inform therapeutic strategies and improve outcome in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Alkan
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Geoff Davies
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK,School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK,Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey, UK
| | - Kathryn Greenwood
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK,Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, UK
| | - Simon L H Evans
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK: tel: +44 (0)1483 686945, fax: +44 (0) 1483 682914,
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