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Aim: Negative symptoms and cognition are related with functioning in schizophrenia. However, it is not clear whether they have a similar effect in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis. In this study, we aimed to explore relationship of negative symptoms with cognition and functioning cross-sectionally in people with UHR for psychosis.Methods: In total, 107 people participated in this study. We assessed negative symptoms with Scale for Negative Symptoms (SANS). We applied a cognitive battery including seven tests. We evaluated functioning by using Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and work/study status as an indicator of role functioning.Results: SANS scores were correlated to global functioning cross-sectionally. SANS total score was correlated to cognitive test scores related to cognitive flexibility and attention. Only Trail Making Test B (TMT B) was negatively correlated to global functioning. SANS-affective blunting and SANS-avolition scores were independently related to global functioning. There was a significant indirect effect of the TMT B and composite attention scores on global functioning through negative symptoms indicating a complete mediation. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that negative symptoms, particularly avolition have an impact on functioning and the association of cognition with functioning was mediated by negative symptoms in UHR.

Aims: To perform the validation of the Comprehensive Assessment at Risk Mental State (CAARMS) in Turkish.Methods: Sixty-five volunteers (15-24 years) were enrolled in this study. Concurrent validity was performed with Spearman's Correlation Test using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Median scores of the groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U Test. Interrater reliability was assessed by intragroup correlation coefficient method. Internal consistency was studied by the calculation of Cronbach Alfa Coefficient.Results: The correlation of the severity scores of the CAARMS with unusual thought content, suspiciousness, hallucinations and conceptual disorganization items of the BPRS showed that the concurrent validity was good. ROC analysis revealed that CAARMS could discriminate between individuals with UHR and healthy volunteers well. We found a good correlation between the raters. Internal consistency was at very high level. Conclusion:Analyses of concurrent validity, criterion validity, interrater reliability and internal consistency indicate that the Turkish version is valid and reliable.

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In our previous studies we reported that there were more childhood trauma (CT, 1) and cognitive deficits (2) in UHR group. The aim of this study is to measure the relationship between CT and cognitive functioning in UHR group. Sixty-four individuals at UHR for psychosis were applied a neurocgnitive battery assessing attention, processing speed, verbal learning and memory, working memory, interference inhibition and sustained attention. CT was assessed by short version of Childhood Trauma Questionnary (CTQ). We dychotomized the sample by using cut off scores for the existence of emotional, physical, sexual taruma, physical and emotional neglect. Those with history of physical trauma had worse performance on Digit Span-forward, Trail making B (time), Stroop test-difference between colour and word reading times, WCSTcompleted categories. Physical trauma scores were negatively correlated with WCST-completed categories, and physical neglect scores were negatively correlated with Digit span test-forward. Our findings suggest that history of physical trauma has a negative impact on cognitive functioning in individuals at UHR for psychosis.

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