Neurocognitive Vulnerability Indicators in Psychosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
N.S. Vyas ◽  
S. Frangou
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Visual Information Processing ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Axis I

Background:Cognitive impairments are considered a component of the extended clinical syndrome of schizophrenia. the aim of the current project was to investigate putative cognitive deficits in individuals with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; defined herein as onset before the age of 18) and their relatives.Methods:53 EOS probands and 117 unaffected first-degree-relatives were examined on memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised), verbal learning and recognition (California Verbal Learning Test), and attention (SPAN of apprehension test and degraded-stimulus continuous performance test (DS-CPT)). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy). Analysis of co-variance was performed with diagnosis as fixed factor and age as covariate.Results:EOS probands under performed on General Memory, Verbal Memory and Delayed Recall indices (WMS-R) compared to their relatives. both EOS and relatives with a mood disorder performed less well on Visual memory and Attention/Concentration indices [p< 0.001]. Relatives without Axis I diagnosis differentiated from EOS on all indices [p< 0.01]. Verbal learning and recognition impairments segregated in EOS and differentiated patients from their relatives. EOS probands and relatives with an Axis I diagnoses showed rapid visual information processing impairments (SPAN) compared to healthy relatives, while sustained attention (DS-CPT) remained relatively preserved in EOS and relatives.Conclusions:Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may be mediated by visual information processing impairments, which differentiates healthy relatives from relatives with an Axis I diagnosis. Sustained attention seems to be a selective strength in EOS and relatives.

Anomalous visual experiences, negative symptoms, perceptual organization and the magnocellular pathway in schizophrenia: a shared construct?

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1445-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
SZABOLCS KÉRI ◽  
IMRE KISS ◽  
OGUZ KELEMEN ◽  
GYÖRGY BENEDEK ◽  
ZOLTÁN JANKA
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Perceptual Organization ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Visual Information Processing ◽  
Natural Image ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Rapid Visual Processing

Background. Schizophrenia is associated with impaired visual information processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anomalous perceptual experiences, positive and negative symptoms, perceptual organization, rapid categorization of natural images and magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) visual pathway functioning.Method. Thirty-five unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and 20 matched healthy control volunteers participated. Anomalous perceptual experiences were assessed with the Bonn Scale for the Assessment Basic Symptoms (BSABS). General intellectual functions were evaluated with the revised version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The 1–9 version of the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was used to investigate sustained attention. The following psychophysical tests were used: detection of Gabor patches with collinear and orthogonal flankers (perceptual organization), categorization of briefly presented natural scenes (rapid visual processing), low-contrast and frequency-doubling vernier threshold (M pathway functioning), isoluminant colour vernier threshold and high spatial frequency discrimination (P pathway functioning).Results. The patients with schizophrenia were impaired on test of perceptual organization, rapid visual processing and M pathway functioning. There was a significant correlation between BSABS scores, negative symptoms, perceptual organization, rapid visual processing and M pathway functioning. Positive symptoms, IQ, CPT and P pathway measures did not correlate with these parameters. The best predictor of the BSABS score was the perceptual organization deficit.Conclusions. These results raise the possibility that multiple facets of visual information processing deficits can be explained by M pathway dysfunctions in schizophrenia, resulting in impaired attentional modulation of perceptual organization and of natural image categorization.

Memory and verbal learning functions in twins with bipolar-I disorder, and the role of information-processing speed

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
TUULA KIESEPPÄ ◽  
ANNAMARI TUULIO-HENRIKSSON ◽  
JARI HAUKKA ◽  
THEO VAN ERP ◽  
DAVID GLAHN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Bipolar I Disorder ◽  
Memory Functioning

Background. Euthymic bipolar-I disorder (BP I) patients and their siblings have shown impairments in verbal learning and memory functions compared with controls, suggesting that these impairments may be genetic in origin. Reduced information-processing speed has been associated with impaired memory in the elderly, and recently in schizophrenia. The authors compared verbal learning and memory functioning in twins with BP I and co-twins to control twins, and examined whether the observed deficits are related to information-processing speed.Method. Finnish Medical and Population Registers and Twin Cohorts were used to identify the BP I and control twins. Neuropsychological tests assessing verbal learning and memory, working memory, facial recognition, visual memory, and information-processing speed were administered to 26 BP I twins, 19 non-bipolar co-twins, and 114 controls. Group differences were analyzed by generalized estimation equation modeling.Results. BP I patients, but not co-twins, showed impairments in all memory tests compared with controls. Female co-twins showed impairment in verbal learning and memory. Information-processing speed had a significant effect on encoding and learning efficiency.Conclusions. This study showed for the first time that information-processing speed is related to memory functioning and verbal learning in BP I in a population-based, representative and euthymic sample. Furthermore, the data support the view that defects in verbal memory may be related to the genetic factors predisposing to BP I in females.

scholarly journals Relationship between cognitive processes and academic performance in high school students

Psychologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-100
Author(s):  
Laura Puerta
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between the cognitive processes and the academic performance by a non-experimental correlational study with a cross-sectional design. Participants were 60 students between 14 and 17 years old, who were randomly selected from high school tenth grade without a history of personality disorder or intellectual disability. Academic performance was evaluated from the school average reported by educational documents. Cognitive processes measured were: focused and sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control, delayed visual memory, auditory verbal learning and delayed auditory verbal memory, visualconstructive praxis, naming function of language and verbal fluency. A neuropsychological battery was used for that purpose. According to the Rho Spearman, the results indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between the two following cognitive processes and academic performance: sustained attention (p=0.01) and the naming function of language (p=0.05).

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