Associations between cognition and internalizing problems in young adults with early-onset schizophrenia: A 13-year follow-up study

Abstract

The present follow-up study examines the associations between cognition and parent-rated internalizing problems among adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) at baseline (T1) and self-rated internalizing problems 13 years later (T2). Twelve individuals (8 male/4 female) with EOS and 30 healthy controls (16 male/14 female) were included in the study. All were between 12 and 18 years of age at T1. Internalizing problems were measured with the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment Internalizing Scale. Cognition was examined with a neuropsychological test battery measuring auditory attention/working memory, visuomotor processing, cognitive flexibility and verbal memory. Compared to healthy controls, the EOS group had significant cognitive deficits and more internalizing problems both at T1 and T2. There was no correlation between parent-rated internalizing problems at T1 and self-rated internalizing problems at T2 in the EOS group. However, deficits in auditory attention/working memory at T1 were significantly associated with internalizing problems at T2. A focus on improving the treatment of cognitive impairments may be important in preventing the development of internalizing problems in young patients with schizophrenia. The small sample size of the study is a limitation and further research is recommended.

Shared and distinct brain fMRI response during performance of working memory tasks in adult patients with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder

“…On the other hand, in the case of MDD, relative to HC, WM performance has sometimes been reported to be impaired (Chen et al, 2018; Christopher & MacDonald, 2005; Egeland et al, 2003; Liu et al, 2019; Noort et al, 2016; Pu et al, 2011; Pu et al, 2018; Schwert, Stohrer, Aschenbrenner, Weisbrod, & Schröder, 2019) or sometimes not (Channon, Baker, & Robertson, 1993; Murphy et al, 2019; Trapp et al, 2017; Yuksel et al, 2018). Furthermore, WM deficits have been reported to increase over time in SZ (Fu, Czajkowski, & Torgalsboen, 2018; Jimenez‐Lopez et al, 2019; Park, Püschel, Sauter, Rentsch, & Hell, 1999; Strugstad, Lau, & Glenne Oie, 2018), but not in MDD (Nuninga et al, 2018; Sankar, Adams, Costafreda, Marangell, & Fu, 2017; Vasavada et al, 2017; Zuidersma, Comijs, Naarding, & Oude Voshaar, 2016). WM is also more impaired in SZ than in MDD (Egeland et al, 2003; Mahmood, Burton, Vella, & Twamley, 2018; Yamashita et al, 2018), and measurement of WM deficit may represent a promising endophenotype for studying the disorders (Glahn et al, 2012).…”

Reversal learning impairments in the maternal immune activation rat model of schizophrenia.

“…In each of these studies, those diagnosed with schizophrenia took longer to learn the reversals compared with controls. Similarly, cognitive flexibility, as assessed by perseveration in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, has long been shown to be deficient in individuals with schizophrenia (Bellini et al, 1991; Strugstad, Lau, & Glenne Øie, 2018). A recent review discusses potential brain mechanisms (Waltz, 2017).…”

Communication strategies for nursing research with older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia using life course theory

“…With respect to the timing of lives, issues associated with attention and concentration may have influenced OADWS' ability to maintain jobs, relationships, and educational pursuits along the life course (Brain et al, 2018;Jerrell et al, 2017;Strugstad et al, 2018).…”