Pub Date : 2023-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2023.100280
Fanny Senner , Thomas Schneider-Axmann , Lalit Kaurani , Jörg Zimmermann , Jens Wiltfang , Martin von Hagen , Thomas Vogl , Carsten Spitzer , Simon Senner , Eva C. Schulte , Max Schmauß , Sabrina K. Schaupp , Jens Reimer , Daniela Reich-Erkelenz , Sergi Papiol , Mojtaba Oraki Kohshour , Fabian U. Lang , Carsten Konrad , Sophie-Kathrin Kirchner , Janos L. Kalman , Thomas G. Schulze
As core symptoms of schizophrenia, cognitive deficits contribute substantially to poor outcomes. Early life stress (ELS) can negatively affect cognition in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, but the exact nature of the mediating factors is unclear. Therefore, we investigated how ELS, education, and symptom burden are related to cognitive performance.
The sample comprised 215 patients with schizophrenia (age, 42.9 ± 12.0 years; 66.0 % male) and 197 healthy controls (age, 38.5 ± 16.4 years; 39.3 % male) from the PsyCourse Study. ELS was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). We used analyses of covariance and correlation analyses to investigate the association of total ELS load and ELS subtypes with cognitive performance.
ELS was reported by 52.1 % of patients and 24.9 % of controls. Independent of ELS, cognitive performance on neuropsychological tests was lower in patients than controls (p < 0.001). ELS load was more closely associated with neurocognitive deficits (cognitive composite score) in controls (r = −0.305, p < 0.001) than in patients (r = −0.163, p = 0.033). Moreover, the higher the ELS load, the more cognitive deficits were found in controls (r = −0.200, p = 0.006), while in patients, this correlation was not significant after adjusting for PANSS.
ELS load was more strongly associated with cognitive deficits in healthy controls than in patients. In patients, disease-related positive and negative symptoms may mask the effects of ELS-related cognitive deficits. ELS subtypes were associated with impairments in various cognitive domains. Cognitive deficits appear to be mediated through higher symptom burden and lower educational level.
{"title":"Association of early life stress and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls","authors":"Fanny Senner , Thomas Schneider-Axmann , Lalit Kaurani , Jörg Zimmermann , Jens Wiltfang , Martin von Hagen , Thomas Vogl , Carsten Spitzer , Simon Senner , Eva C. Schulte , Max Schmauß , Sabrina K. Schaupp , Jens Reimer , Daniela Reich-Erkelenz , Sergi Papiol , Mojtaba Oraki Kohshour , Fabian U. Lang , Carsten Konrad , Sophie-Kathrin Kirchner , Janos L. Kalman , Thomas G. Schulze","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2023.100280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2023.100280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As core symptoms of schizophrenia, cognitive deficits contribute substantially to poor outcomes. Early life stress (ELS) can negatively affect cognition in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, but the exact nature of the mediating factors is unclear. Therefore, we investigated how ELS, education, and symptom burden are related to cognitive performance.</p><p>The sample comprised 215 patients with schizophrenia (age, 42.9 ± 12.0 years; 66.0 % male) and 197 healthy controls (age, 38.5 ± 16.4 years; 39.3 % male) from the PsyCourse Study. ELS was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). We used analyses of covariance and correlation analyses to investigate the association of total ELS load and ELS subtypes with cognitive performance.</p><p>ELS was reported by 52.1 % of patients and 24.9 % of controls. Independent of ELS, cognitive performance on neuropsychological tests was lower in patients than controls (<em>p</em> < 0.001). ELS load was more closely associated with neurocognitive deficits (cognitive composite score) in controls (<em>r</em> = −0.305, <em>p</em> < 0.001) than in patients (<em>r</em> = −0.163, <em>p</em> = 0.033). Moreover, the higher the ELS load, the more cognitive deficits were found in controls (<em>r</em> = −0.200, <em>p</em> = 0.006), while in patients, this correlation was not significant after adjusting for PANSS.</p><p>ELS load was more strongly associated with cognitive deficits in healthy controls than in patients. In patients, disease-related positive and negative symptoms may mask the effects of ELS-related cognitive deficits. ELS subtypes were associated with impairments in various cognitive domains. Cognitive deficits appear to be mediated through higher symptom burden and lower educational level.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9945796/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10793933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100273
Young Tak Jo , So Yeon Park , Jaiyoung Park , Jungsun Lee , Yeon Ho Joo
In terms of thought disorder, the language of patients with schizophrenia itself could be a valuable resource. Some valuable studies on the language of patients with schizophrenia have been performed. However, most such studies have been confined to English-speaking countries, or at least those where Indo-European languages are spoken. Therefore, we investigated linguistic anomalies in the language of Korean patients with schizophrenia. Short texts written by 69 patients with schizophrenia from a single mental hospital and matched normal control participants were analyzed. We evaluated these texts in terms of semantic and syntactic errors. Then, we compared the error rates adjusted for text length between patients and normal control participants. We also divided the patients with schizophrenia into two groups by their duration of illness and compared these two groups to investigate the relationship between the duration of illness and linguistic anomalies. The patients with schizophrenia committed a total of 1.86 (2.52) semantic errors and 1.37 (1.79) syntactic errors per 100 characters, which were significantly more frequent than errors committed by normal control participants. Furthermore, there was a notably high number of semantic errors relative to syntactic errors in the language of patients with schizophrenia. Our study results are consistent with previous studies from English-speaking countries, implying that the linguistic anomalies of patients with schizophrenia are not confined to a single language. Because language is essential in mental function, further research on linguistic anomalies in patients with schizophrenia is recommended.
{"title":"Linguistic anomalies in the language of patients with schizophrenia","authors":"Young Tak Jo , So Yeon Park , Jaiyoung Park , Jungsun Lee , Yeon Ho Joo","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In terms of thought disorder, the language of patients with schizophrenia itself could be a valuable resource. Some valuable studies on the language of patients with schizophrenia have been performed. However, most such studies have been confined to English-speaking countries, or at least those where Indo-European languages are spoken. Therefore, we investigated linguistic anomalies in the language of Korean patients with schizophrenia. Short texts written by 69 patients with schizophrenia from a single mental hospital and matched normal control participants were analyzed. We evaluated these texts in terms of semantic and syntactic errors. Then, we compared the error rates adjusted for text length between patients and normal control participants. We also divided the patients with schizophrenia into two groups by their duration of illness and compared these two groups to investigate the relationship between the duration of illness and linguistic anomalies. The patients with schizophrenia committed a total of 1.86 (2.52) semantic errors and 1.37 (1.79) syntactic errors per 100 characters, which were significantly more frequent than errors committed by normal control participants. Furthermore, there was a notably high number of semantic errors relative to syntactic errors in the language of patients with schizophrenia. Our study results are consistent with previous studies from English-speaking countries, implying that the linguistic anomalies of patients with schizophrenia are not confined to a single language. Because language is essential in mental function, further research on linguistic anomalies in patients with schizophrenia is recommended.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/86/be/main.PMC9661510.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40692724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100272
Michelle van Dam , Jaap van Weeghel , Stynke Castelein , Annemarie Stiekema , Piotr Quee , Sean Kidd , Kelly Allott , Natalie Maples , Dawn Velligan , Marieke Pijnenborg , Lisette van der Meer
Purpose
Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) is a psychosocial intervention with demonstrated effectiveness. However, no validated fidelity instrument is available. In this study, a CAT Fidelity Scale was developed and its psychometric properties, including interrater reliability and internal consistency, were evaluated.
Methods
The fidelity scale was developed in a multidisciplinary collaboration between international research groups using the Delphi method. Four Delphi rounds were organized to reach consensus for the items included in the scale. To examine the psychometric properties of the scale, data from a large cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the implementation of CAT in clinical practice was used. Fidelity assessors conducted 73 fidelity reviews at four mental health institutions in the Netherlands.
Results
After three Delphi rounds, consensus was reached on a 44-item CAT Fidelity Scale. After administration of the scale, 24 items were removed in round four resulting in a 20-item fidelity scale. Psychometric properties of the 20-item CAT Fidelity Scale shows a fair interrater reliability and an excellent internal consistency.
Conclusions
The CAT fidelity scale in its current form is useful for both research purposes as well as for individual health professionals to monitor their own adherence to the protocol. Future research needs to focus on improvement of items and formulating qualitative anchor point to the items to increase generalizability and psychometric properties of the scale. The described suggestions for improvement provide a good starting point for further development.
{"title":"Development and validation of a fidelity instrument for Cognitive Adaptation Training","authors":"Michelle van Dam , Jaap van Weeghel , Stynke Castelein , Annemarie Stiekema , Piotr Quee , Sean Kidd , Kelly Allott , Natalie Maples , Dawn Velligan , Marieke Pijnenborg , Lisette van der Meer","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>Cognitive Adaptation Training (CAT) is a psychosocial intervention with demonstrated effectiveness. However, no validated fidelity instrument is available. In this study, a CAT Fidelity Scale was developed and its psychometric properties, including interrater reliability and internal consistency, were evaluated.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The fidelity scale was developed in a multidisciplinary collaboration between international research groups using the Delphi method. Four Delphi rounds were organized to reach consensus for the items included in the scale. To examine the psychometric properties of the scale, data from a large cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the implementation of CAT in clinical practice was used. Fidelity assessors conducted 73 fidelity reviews at four mental health institutions in the Netherlands.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>After three Delphi rounds, consensus was reached on a 44-item CAT Fidelity Scale. After administration of the scale, 24 items were removed in round four resulting in a 20-item fidelity scale. Psychometric properties of the 20-item CAT Fidelity Scale shows a fair interrater reliability and an excellent internal consistency.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The CAT fidelity scale in its current form is useful for both research purposes as well as for individual health professionals to monitor their own adherence to the protocol. Future research needs to focus on improvement of items and formulating qualitative anchor point to the items to increase generalizability and psychometric properties of the scale. The described suggestions for improvement provide a good starting point for further development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/5f/6b/main.PMC9634354.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40683398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100274
Hanna Kucwaj , Michał Ociepka , Zdzisław Gajewski , Adam Chuderski
Impaired cognitive control, for instance increased distractibility in simple conflict tasks such as Stroop, is considered one of fundamental cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients. Relatively less is known about patients proneness to distraction in more complex, longer-lasting cognitive tasks. We applied the four-term analogies with and without distraction to 51 schizophrenia patients in order to examine whether they display increased distractibility during analogical reasoning, and to test which kind of distractors (semantic, categorical, or perceptual) elicits their strongest distraction, as compared to 51 matched controls. We found that (a) both groups reasoned by analogy comparably well when distraction was absent; (b) in both groups distraction significantly decreased performance; (c) schizophrenia patients were significantly more distracted than the controls; (d) in both groups the semantic distractors were selected more frequently than the categorical distractors, while the perceptual distractors were virtually ignored; as well as (e) in both groups distractibility in the four-term analogies was unrelated with distractibility in the simple perceptual conflict task, suggesting that these two distraction types tap into different cognitive mechanisms. Importantly, a significantly stronger distractibility in the schizophrenia group could not be explained by their lower intelligence, because the two groups were matched on the fluid reasoning test. We conclude that during complex cognitive processing schizophrenia patients become captured by irrelevant semantic associations. The patients are also less willing to critically evaluate their responses.
{"title":"Captured by associations: Semantic distractibility during analogical reasoning in schizophrenia","authors":"Hanna Kucwaj , Michał Ociepka , Zdzisław Gajewski , Adam Chuderski","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Impaired cognitive control, for instance increased distractibility in simple conflict tasks such as Stroop, is considered one of fundamental cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients. Relatively less is known about patients proneness to distraction in more complex, longer-lasting cognitive tasks. We applied the four-term analogies with and without distraction to 51 schizophrenia patients in order to examine whether they display increased distractibility during analogical reasoning, and to test which kind of distractors (semantic, categorical, or perceptual) elicits their strongest distraction, as compared to 51 matched controls. We found that (a) both groups reasoned by analogy comparably well when distraction was absent; (b) in both groups distraction significantly decreased performance; (c) schizophrenia patients were significantly more distracted than the controls; (d) in both groups the semantic distractors were selected more frequently than the categorical distractors, while the perceptual distractors were virtually ignored; as well as (e) in both groups distractibility in the four-term analogies was unrelated with distractibility in the simple perceptual conflict task, suggesting that these two distraction types tap into different cognitive mechanisms. Importantly, a significantly stronger distractibility in the schizophrenia group could not be explained by their lower intelligence, because the two groups were matched on the fluid reasoning test. We conclude that during complex cognitive processing schizophrenia patients become captured by irrelevant semantic associations. The patients are also less willing to critically evaluate their responses.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/68/df/main.PMC9679673.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40510668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100275
Ingvild Haugen , Torill Ueland , Jan Stubberud , Cathrine Brunborg , Til Wykes , Merete Glenne Øie , Elisabeth Haug
Goal Management Training (GMT) improved self-reported executive functioning in a recent randomized, controlled trial in early intervention for psychosis participants. Little is known about the mechanism for this benefit, so this study investigates objectively measured executive function, the difference between subjective and objective executive function, independent living and employment status as potential moderators of efficacy of GMT.
Baseline scores from 81 participants (GMT n = 39 vs Treatment-as-usual; TAU n = 42) were analyzed in a linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures as predictors of improvement on the self-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Adult version (BRIEF-A) immediately and 30 weeks after GMT. Potential moderators were scores from objective measures of executive functioning, discrepancy between subjective and objective measures, independent living and employment status. Discrepancy was assessed by comparing four clusters of participants with differing patterns of scores.
The effect of GMT remained significant regardless of initial objective executive functioning at baseline. Those with higher subjective complaints at baseline in two clusters with (i) both objective and subjective executive dysfunction, and (ii) mostly subjective executive dysfunction experienced greater change after treatment. Living arrangements or participation in education or work did not significantly moderate the effects of GMT.
Poor performance on neuropsychological tasks is not an obstacle to making use of GMT, but further knowledge is needed about the benefits of strategy training for individuals with a combination of poor performance with few subjective complaints.
{"title":"Moderators of metacognitive strategy training for executive functioning in early schizophrenia and psychosis risk","authors":"Ingvild Haugen , Torill Ueland , Jan Stubberud , Cathrine Brunborg , Til Wykes , Merete Glenne Øie , Elisabeth Haug","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Goal Management Training (GMT) improved self-reported executive functioning in a recent randomized, controlled trial in early intervention for psychosis participants. Little is known about the mechanism for this benefit, so this study investigates objectively measured executive function, the difference between subjective and objective executive function, independent living and employment status as potential moderators of efficacy of GMT.</p><p>Baseline scores from 81 participants (GMT n = 39 vs Treatment-as-usual; TAU n = 42) were analyzed in a linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures as predictors of improvement on the self-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Adult version (BRIEF-A) immediately and 30 weeks after GMT. Potential moderators were scores from objective measures of executive functioning, discrepancy between subjective and objective measures, independent living and employment status. Discrepancy was assessed by comparing four clusters of participants with differing patterns of scores.</p><p>The effect of GMT remained significant regardless of initial objective executive functioning at baseline. Those with higher subjective complaints at baseline in two clusters with (<em>i</em>) <em>both objective and subjective executive dysfunction</em>, and (<em>ii</em>) <em>mostly subjective executive dysfunction</em> experienced greater change after treatment. Living arrangements or participation in education or work did not significantly moderate the effects of GMT.</p><p>Poor performance on neuropsychological tasks is not an obstacle to making use of GMT, but further knowledge is needed about the benefits of strategy training for individuals with a combination of poor performance with few subjective complaints.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/78/e4/main.PMC9713365.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35255243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100261
Philip D. Harvey , Eva Velthorst , Anne-Kathrin J. Fett
{"title":"Preface to virtual special issue: The evolution of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia","authors":"Philip D. Harvey , Eva Velthorst , Anne-Kathrin J. Fett","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100261","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/74/f5/main.PMC9477855.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40367112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100266
Natalie Frattaroli , Mia Geljic , Dominika Runkowska , Hayley Darke , Caitlin Reddyhough , Taylor Mills , Matthew Mitchell , Rachel Hill , Olivia Carter , Suresh Sundram
Well characterised cognitive and perceptual impairments in schizophrenia may not be diagnostically specific with some studies suggesting no significant differences between psychotic disorders. This transdiagnostic ambiguity is paralleled in the boundary distinctions between psychotic disorders and the sub-threshold symptomatology of schizotypy. The current study used the CNTRACS test battery to explore if performance deficits in visual integration, relational memory and goal maintenance were specific to schizophrenia or extend to other psychotic disorders; and if task performance varied between individuals with schizophrenia and schizotypy in healthy adults. The sample consisted of healthy controls, and patients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders and non-psychotic disorders who were tested in person; and an online sample of self-assessed healthy adults. No significant differences were found in performance between patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in contrast to non-psychotic disorders and healthy controls. The high schizotypy group performed better on the tasks compared to the other psychoses and schizophrenia groups. There were no differences in the healthy control group between individuals with high versus low schizotypy or between in-person and online task performance. These findings support the notion that cognitive and perceptual impairments in schizophrenia extend to other psychotic disorders but are discontinuous with schizotypy. This study provides insights into similarities between schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with regards to the potential neural substrates underpinning these functions and supports the use of online tools for assessing domains of cognition and perception.
{"title":"Cognitive and perceptual impairments in schizophrenia extend to other psychotic disorders but not schizotypy","authors":"Natalie Frattaroli , Mia Geljic , Dominika Runkowska , Hayley Darke , Caitlin Reddyhough , Taylor Mills , Matthew Mitchell , Rachel Hill , Olivia Carter , Suresh Sundram","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Well characterised cognitive and perceptual impairments in schizophrenia may not be diagnostically specific with some studies suggesting no significant differences between psychotic disorders. This transdiagnostic ambiguity is paralleled in the boundary distinctions between psychotic disorders and the sub-threshold symptomatology of schizotypy. The current study used the CNTRACS test battery to explore if performance deficits in visual integration, relational memory and goal maintenance were specific to schizophrenia or extend to other psychotic disorders; and if task performance varied between individuals with schizophrenia and schizotypy in healthy adults. The sample consisted of healthy controls, and patients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders and non-psychotic disorders who were tested in person; and an online sample of self-assessed healthy adults. No significant differences were found in performance between patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in contrast to non-psychotic disorders and healthy controls. The high schizotypy group performed better on the tasks compared to the other psychoses and schizophrenia groups. There were no differences in the healthy control group between individuals with high versus low schizotypy or between in-person and online task performance. These findings support the notion that cognitive and perceptual impairments in schizophrenia extend to other psychotic disorders but are discontinuous with schizotypy. This study provides insights into similarities between schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with regards to the potential neural substrates underpinning these functions and supports the use of online tools for assessing domains of cognition and perception.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0d/e3/main.PMC9361330.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40692531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Based on the limited research focusing on the severity of cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia with preceding toxoplasmosis, we sampled 89 demographically matched paranoid schizophrenia patients (mean age 38.97 years) with (n = 42) and without (n = 47) seroprevalence of IgG type anti T. gondii antibodies as marker of past infection. They underwent examination of verbal memory (10 words Luria test), logical memory and visual memory (BVRT), processing speed (TMT-A/DSST) and executive functions (TMT-B/verbal fluency). We compared the results of both groups, taking into account the normative values for the Bulgarian population where available. We also compared the two groups in terms of clinical severity as evidenced by positive, negative and disorganization sub-scores of the PANSS.
Results
While both groups were expectedly under the population norms for verbal and logical memory, seropositive patients showed significantly bigger impairment in verbal memory (Luria Smax = 72.85 vs 78.51; p = 0.029), psychomotor speed (TMT-A 50.98 s vs 44.64 s; p = 0.017), semantic verbal fluency (27.12 vs 30.02; p = 0.011) and literal verbal fluency (17.17 vs 18.78; p = 0.014) compared to the seronegative ones. In addition to that, they gave less correct answers on the BVRT (2.98 vs 4.09; p = 0.006) while making markedly more errors (13.95 vs 10.21; p = 0.002). Despite not reaching statistical significance, past toxoplasmosis was associated with higher score on the PANSS disorganization sub-scale (16.50 points vs 14.72 points) and with lower educational attainment.
Conclusion
Our results suggest a more profound neuropathological insult(s) resulting in greater cognitive impairment in schizophrenia cases that are exposed to T. gondii infection.
介绍和方法基于对有弓形虫病病史的精神分裂症患者认知功能恶化严重程度的有限研究,我们抽样了89例人口统计学匹配的偏执型精神分裂症患者(平均年龄38.97岁),其中(n = 42)和(n = 47)血清IgG型抗弓形虫抗体阳性率作为既往感染的标记。对他们进行了言语记忆(10个单词Luria测试)、逻辑记忆和视觉记忆(BVRT)、处理速度(TMT-A/DSST)和执行功能(TMT-B/言语流畅性)的测试。我们比较了两组的结果,考虑到保加利亚人口的规范性值。我们还比较了两组的临床严重程度,以PANSS的阳性、阴性和紊乱分值为证据。结果两组患者的语言和逻辑记忆均符合人群标准,但血清阳性患者的语言记忆损伤明显更大(Luria Smax = 72.85 vs 78.51;p = 0.029),精神运动速度(TMT-A 50.98 s vs 44.64 s;P = 0.017),语义语言流畅性(27.12 vs 30.02;P = 0.011)和字面语言流畅性(17.17 vs 18.78;P = 0.014)。除此之外,他们在BVRT上给出的正确答案也更少(2.98比4.09;P = 0.006),但错误率明显更高(13.95 vs 10.21;p = 0.002)。尽管没有达到统计学意义,但过去弓形虫病与PANSS紊乱子量表得分较高(16.50分对14.72分)和受教育程度较低相关。结论我们的研究结果表明,暴露于弓形虫感染的精神分裂症患者有更严重的神经病理损伤,导致更大的认知障碍。
{"title":"Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive function in adults with schizophrenia","authors":"Ivanka Veleva , Kaloyan Stoychev , Maya Stoimenova-Popova , Lyudmil Stoyanov , Eleonora Mineva-Dimitrova , Ivelin Angelov","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction and methods</h3><p>Based on the limited research focusing on the severity of cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia with preceding toxoplasmosis, we sampled 89 demographically matched paranoid schizophrenia patients (mean age 38.97 years) with (n = 42) and without (n = 47) seroprevalence of IgG type anti <em>T. gondii</em> antibodies as marker of past infection. They underwent examination of verbal memory (10 words Luria test), logical memory and visual memory (BVRT), processing speed (TMT-A/DSST) and executive functions (TMT-B/verbal fluency). We compared the results of both groups, taking into account the normative values for the Bulgarian population where available. We also compared the two groups in terms of clinical severity as evidenced by positive, negative and disorganization sub-scores of the PANSS.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>While both groups were expectedly under the population norms for verbal and logical memory, seropositive patients showed significantly bigger impairment in verbal memory (Luria Smax = 72.85 vs 78.51; p = 0.029), psychomotor speed (TMT-A 50.98 s vs 44.64 s; p = 0.017), semantic verbal fluency (27.12 vs 30.02; p = 0.011) and literal verbal fluency (17.17 vs 18.78; p = 0.014) compared to the seronegative ones. In addition to that, they gave less correct answers on the BVRT (2.98 vs 4.09; p = 0.006) while making markedly more errors (13.95 vs 10.21; p = 0.002). Despite not reaching statistical significance, past toxoplasmosis was associated with higher score on the PANSS disorganization sub-scale (16.50 points vs 14.72 points) and with lower educational attainment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Our results suggest a more profound neuropathological insult(s) resulting in greater cognitive impairment in schizophrenia cases that are exposed to <em>T. gondii</em> infection.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c8/e6/main.PMC9440062.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40353143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100267
E. Stip , F. Al Mugaddam , J. Nauman , A. Abdel Baki , S. Potvin
A network of early psychosis-specific intervention programs at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, conducted a longitudinal naturalistic five-year study at two Urban Early Intervention Services (EIS). In this study, 198 patients were recruited based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Our objectives were to assess the subjective cognition complaints of schizophrenic patients assessed by Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) in their first-episode psychosis (FEP) in relation to their general characteristics. We also wanted to assess whether there are sex-based differences in the subjective cognitive complaints, as well as differences in cognitive complaints among patients who use alcohol in comparison to those who are abstainers. Additionally, we wanted to monitor the changes in the subjective complaints progress for a period of five years follow-up. Our findings showed that although women expressed more cognitive complaints than men [mean (SD) SSTICS, 28.2 (13.7) for women and 24.7 (13.2) for men], this difference was not statistically significant (r = −0.190, 95 % CI, −0. 435 to 0. 097). We also found that abstainers complained more about their cognition than alcohol consumers [mean (SD) SSTICS, 27.9 (13.4) for abstainers and 23.7 (12.9) for consumers], a difference which was statistically significant (r = −0.166, 95 % CI, −0. 307 to −0.014). Our findings showed a drop in the average score of SSTICS through study follow-up time among FEP patients. In conclusion, we suggest that if we want to set up a good cognitive remediation program, it is useful to start with the patients' demands. This demand can follow the patients' complaints. Further investigations are needed in order to propose different approaches between alcohol users and abstinent patients concerning responding to their cognitive complaints.
{"title":"Subjective cognitive complaints in first episode psychosis: A focused follow-up on sex effect and alcohol usage","authors":"E. Stip , F. Al Mugaddam , J. Nauman , A. Abdel Baki , S. Potvin","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A network of early psychosis-specific intervention programs at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, conducted a longitudinal naturalistic five-year study at two Urban Early Intervention Services (EIS). In this study, 198 patients were recruited based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Our objectives were to assess the subjective cognition complaints of schizophrenic patients assessed by Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) in their first-episode psychosis (FEP) in relation to their general characteristics. We also wanted to assess whether there are sex-based differences in the subjective cognitive complaints, as well as differences in cognitive complaints among patients who use alcohol in comparison to those who are abstainers. Additionally, we wanted to monitor the changes in the subjective complaints progress for a period of five years follow-up. Our findings showed that although women expressed more cognitive complaints than men [mean (SD) SSTICS, 28.2 (13.7) for women and 24.7 (13.2) for men], this difference was not statistically significant (<em>r</em> = −0.190, 95 % CI, −0. 435 to 0. 097). We also found that abstainers complained more about their cognition than alcohol consumers [mean (SD) SSTICS, 27.9 (13.4) for abstainers and 23.7 (12.9) for consumers], a difference which was statistically significant (<em>r</em> = −0.166, 95 % CI, −0. 307 to −0.014). Our findings showed a drop in the average score of SSTICS through study follow-up time among FEP patients. In conclusion, we suggest that if we want to set up a good cognitive remediation program, it is useful to start with the patients' demands. This demand can follow the patients' complaints. Further investigations are needed in order to propose different approaches between alcohol users and abstinent patients concerning responding to their cognitive complaints.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/70/f9/main.PMC9420513.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40332496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100270
David J. Williamson , Keith H. Nuechterlein , Todd Tishler , Joseph Ventura , Benjamin M. Ellingson , Ibrahim Turkoz , Richard S.E. Keefe , Larry Alphs
Objective
Persons with schizophrenia exhibit greater neurocognitive test score dispersion. Here, we seek to characterize dispersion on the Neurocognitive Composite subtests of the Measurement of Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrena Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and determine the relative effects of different antipsychotic formulations on dispersion and mean performance.
Method
In this post hoc analysis of the DREaM study (NCT02431702), which compared treatment with paliperidone palmitate (PP) long-acting injectable with oral antipsychotic (OAP) treatment over 18 months, dispersion in MCCB neurocognitive subtest performance was calculated for each participant by visit (test occasion).
Results
Over 18 months, mean neurocognitive performance improved in a manner consistent with the expected effects of practice in both groups (p < 0.05); this improvement was observed during the first 9 months (PP: p < 0.05, OAP: p < 0.001), followed by stable performance over the second 9 months (PP: p = 0.821, OAP: p = 0.375). Rates of change did not differ between groups (treatment-by-visit interaction: p = 0.548). In contrast, analyses of dispersion focusing on contrasts between baselines and end points of the first and second 9 months revealed different patterns. Over the first 9 months, dispersion in both groups lessened to a similar extent. However, over the second 9 months, dispersion remained stable in the PP group, whereas neurocognitive performance became significantly more variable in the OAP group (p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Dispersion of neurocognitive test scores provides a different index of cognitive change than that provided by composite scores. Long-term maintenance of therapeutic levels provided by PP over time may limit (relative to oral AP) the extent to which cognitive performance becomes more variable.
目的:精神分裂症患者表现出更大的神经认知测试分数分散性。在这里,我们试图在改善精神分裂症共识认知电池(MCCB)认知的治疗研究测量的神经认知复合子测试中表征离散度,并确定不同抗精神病药物配方对离散度和平均表现的相对影响。方法对DREaM研究(NCT02431702)进行事后分析,比较长效注射棕榈酸帕利哌酮(PP)与口服抗精神病药(OAP)治疗超过18个月的时间,通过访问(测试地点)计算每个参与者MCCB神经认知亚测试成绩的离散度。结果18个月后,两组患者的平均神经认知能力均得到改善,与预期的练习效果一致(p <0.05);在前9个月观察到这种改善(PP: p <0.05, OAP: p <0.001),其次是第二个9个月的稳定表现(PP: p = 0.821, OAP: p = 0.375)。两组之间的变化率没有差异(就诊治疗交互作用:p = 0.548)。相比之下,对第一和第二个9个月的基线和终点的差异进行的分散分析显示了不同的模式。在前9个月,两组的分散程度相似。然而,在接下来的9个月里,PP组的离散度保持稳定,而OAP组的神经认知表现变得明显更加多变(p <0.01)。结论神经认知测验分数离散度与复合分数提供的认知变化指标不同。长期维持PP提供的治疗水平可能会限制(相对于口服AP)认知表现变得更可变的程度。
{"title":"Dispersion of cognitive performance test scores on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery: A different perspective","authors":"David J. Williamson , Keith H. Nuechterlein , Todd Tishler , Joseph Ventura , Benjamin M. Ellingson , Ibrahim Turkoz , Richard S.E. Keefe , Larry Alphs","doi":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scog.2022.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Persons with schizophrenia exhibit greater neurocognitive test score dispersion. Here, we seek to characterize dispersion on the Neurocognitive Composite subtests of the Measurement of Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrena Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and determine the relative effects of different antipsychotic formulations on dispersion and mean performance.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>In this post hoc analysis of the DREaM study (<span>NCT02431702</span><svg><path></path></svg>), which compared treatment with paliperidone palmitate (PP) long-acting injectable with oral antipsychotic (OAP) treatment over 18 months, dispersion in MCCB neurocognitive subtest performance was calculated for each participant by visit (test occasion).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Over 18 months, mean neurocognitive performance improved in a manner consistent with the expected effects of practice in both groups (<em>p</em> < 0.05); this improvement was observed during the first 9 months (PP: <em>p</em> < 0.05, OAP: <em>p</em> < 0.001), followed by stable performance over the second 9 months (PP: <em>p</em> = 0.821, OAP: <em>p</em> = 0.375). Rates of change did not differ between groups (treatment-by-visit interaction: <em>p</em> = 0.548). In contrast, analyses of dispersion focusing on contrasts between baselines and end points of the first and second 9 months revealed different patterns. Over the first 9 months, dispersion in both groups lessened to a similar extent. However, over the second 9 months, dispersion remained stable in the PP group, whereas neurocognitive performance became significantly more variable in the OAP group (<em>p</em> < 0.01).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Dispersion of neurocognitive test scores provides a different index of cognitive change than that provided by composite scores. Long-term maintenance of therapeutic levels provided by PP over time may limit (relative to oral AP) the extent to which cognitive performance becomes more variable.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":38119,"journal":{"name":"Schizophrenia Research-Cognition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/10/08/main.PMC9468588.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40362363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}