Cognitive heterogeneity in first-episode schizophrenia

Studies of chronic schizophrenia suggest that there are subgroups with different profiles of cognitive impairment. To determine whether such heterogeneity is present at illness onset and any relationship to clinical variables. Ninety-three community patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 50 h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 2005-12, Vol.187 (6), p.516-522
Main Authors: Joyce, Eileen M., Hutton, Sam B., Mutsatsa, Stanley H., Barnes, Thomas R. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Age of Onset
Chronic Disease
Clinical variables
Cognition Disorders - complications
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognitive ability
Cognitive impairment
Executive function
Female
Heterogeneity
Humans
Intelligence
Intelligence Tests
Male
Memory
Memory Disorders - complications
Memory Disorders - diagnosis
Mental disorders
Mental health care
Neuropsychological Tests
Patients
Premorbid
Psychiatry
Psychosis
Psychotropic drugs
Reading
Risk factors
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenic Psychology
Short term memory
Spatial memory
Volunteers
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Summary:Studies of chronic schizophrenia suggest that there are subgroups with different profiles of cognitive impairment. To determine whether such heterogeneity is present at illness onset and any relationship to clinical variables. Ninety-three community patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 50 healthy volunteers were assessed for premorbid (Revised National Adult Reading Test) and current IQ, memory and executive function. Half of those with schizophrenia had preserved IQ in the normal range but there was evidence of a specific impairment in spatial working memory even in those with high/average IQ; 37 out of 93 (40%) had generalised cognitive decline. Those with low premorbid IQ were significantly younger at illness onset. For the entire group, age at onset correlated positively with premorbid but not current IQ. At illness onset, cognitive heterogeneity is present in people with schizophrenia, with a high proportion having undergone general cognitive decline. However, working memory impairment may be a common feature. Lower premorbid IQ is a risk factor for an earlier onset.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.187.6.516