Childhood adversity and cognitive function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls: evidence for an association between neglect and social cognition

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (13) ◽  
pp. 2186-2193 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kilian ◽  
L Asmal ◽  
B Chiliza ◽  
MR Olivier ◽  
L Phahladira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBackgroundChildhood adversity is associated with cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. However, findings to date are inconsistent and little is known about the relationship between social cognition and childhood trauma. We investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and cognitive function in patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder (n = 56) and matched healthy controls (n = 52). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing this relationship in patients and controls exposed to similarly high levels of trauma.MethodsPearson correlational coefficients were used to assess correlations between Childhood Trauma Questionnaire abuse and neglect scores and cognition. For the MCCB domains displaying significant (p < 0.05) correlations, within group hierarchical linear regression, was done to assess whether abuse and neglect were significant predictors of cognition after controlling for the effect of education.ResultsPatients and controls reported similarly high levels of abuse and neglect. Cognitive performance was poorer for patients compared with controls for all cognitive domains except working memory and social cognition. After controlling for education, exposure to childhood neglect remained a significant predictor of impairment in social cognition in both patients and controls. Neglect was also a significant predictor of poorer verbal learning in patients and of attention/vigilance in controls. However, childhood abuse did not significantly predict cognitive impairments in either patients or controls.ConclusionThese findings are cross sectional and do not infer causality. Nonetheless, they indicate that associations between one type of childhood adversity (i.e. neglect) and social cognition are present and are not illness-specific.

The Relationship Between Childhood Adversity and Other Aspects of Clinical Complexity in Psychiatric Outpatients

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986596
Author(s):  
Robert G. Maunder ◽  
Lesley Wiesenfeld ◽  
Andrea Lawson ◽  
Jonathan J. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Clinical Complexity ◽  
Childhood Loss ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
The Relationship

Childhood abuse, neglect, and loss are common in psychiatric patients, and the relationship between childhood adversity and adult mental illness is well known. However, beyond diagnoses that are specifically trauma-related, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, there has been little research on how childhood adversity contributes to complex presentations that require more intensive treatment. We examined the relationship between childhood adversity and other contributors to clinical complexity in adult outpatients seeking mental health assessment. In a cross-sectional study, patients completed standard measures of psychological distress and functional impairment. Psychiatrists completed an inventory of clinical complexity, which included childhood abuse, neglect, and loss. Of 4,903 patients seen over 15 months, 1,315 (27%) both consented to research and had the measure of complexity completed. Childhood abuse or neglect was identified in 474 (36.0%) and significant childhood loss in 236 (17.9%). Correcting for multiple comparisons and controlling for psychiatric diagnosis, age, and sex, patients with childhood abuse or neglect were significantly more likely to also have 11 of 31 other indices of clinical complexity, with odds ratios ranging from 1.7 to 5.0. Both childhood abuse or neglect and childhood loss were associated with greater overall complexity (i.e., more indices of complexity, χ2 = 136 and 38 respectively, each p < .001). Childhood abuse and neglect (but not childhood loss) were significantly associated with psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K10] score, F = 6.2, p = .01) and disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale 2.0 [WHODAS 2.0] score, F = 5.0, p = .03). Childhood abuse and neglect were associated with many characteristics that contribute to clinical complexity, and thus to suboptimal outcomes to standard, guideline-based care. Screening may alert psychiatrists to the need for intensive, patient-centered, and trauma-informed treatments. Identifying childhood adversity as a common antecedent of complexity may facilitate developing transdiagnostic programs that specifically target sources of complexity.

scholarly journals Empirical evidence for cognitive subgroups in body dysmorphic disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
Amy Malcolm ◽  
Sarah N Brennan ◽  
Sally A Grace ◽  
Toni D Pikoos ◽  
Wei Lin Toh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
The Body ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Cognitive Heterogeneity

Objective: Current understanding of cognitive functioning in body dysmorphic disorder is limited, owing to few studies, small sample sizes and assessment across only limited cognitive domains. Existing research has also shown inconsistent findings, with both intact and impaired cognition reported in body dysmorphic disorder, which might point towards cognitive heterogeneity in the disorder. This study aimed to examine the cognitive profile of body dysmorphic disorder in a large sample across eight cognitive domains, and to explore whether cognitive subgroups might be identified within body dysmorphic disorder. Method: Cognitive domains of inhibition/flexibility, working memory, speed of processing, reasoning and problem-solving, visual and verbal learning, attention/vigilance and social cognition were assessed and compared between 65 body dysmorphic disorder patients and 70 healthy controls. Then, hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted on the body dysmorphic disorder group’s cognitive data. Results: Group-average comparisons demonstrated significantly poorer cognitive functioning in body dysmorphic disorder than healthy controls in all domains except for attention/vigilance and social cognition. Cluster analysis identified two divergent cognitive subgroups within our body dysmorphic disorder cohort characterised by (1) broadly intact cognitive function with mild selective impairments (72.3%), and (2) broadly impaired cognitive function (27.7%). However, the clusters did not significantly differ on clinical parameters or most sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate considerable cognitive heterogeneity among persons with body dysmorphic disorder, rather than uniform deficits. Poor performances in the broadly impaired subgroup may have driven group-level differences. However, our findings also suggest a dissociation between cognitive functioning and clinical characteristics in body dysmorphic disorder that has implications for current aetiological models. Additional research is needed to clarify why some people with body dysmorphic disorder demonstrate cognitive deficits while others do not.

scholarly journals Subtle Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Long-Term Cure of Cushing’s Disease

2010 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 2699-2714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitske Tiemensma ◽  
Nieke E. Kokshoorn ◽  
Nienke R. Biermasz ◽  
Bart-Jan S. A. Keijser ◽  
Moniek J. E. Wassenaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cushing’S Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cushing's Disease ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Irreversible Effects

Abstract Context and Objective: Active Cushing’s disease is associated with cognitive impairments. We hypothesized that previous hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing’s disease results in irreversible impairments in cognitive functioning. Therefore, our aim was to assess cognitive functioning after long-term cure of Cushing’s disease. Design: Cognitive assessment consisted of 11 tests, which evaluated global cognitive functioning, memory, and executive functioning. Patients and Control Subjects: We included 74 patients cured of Cushing’s disease and 74 controls matched for age, gender, and education. Furthermore, we included 54 patients previously treated for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMA) and 54 controls matched for age, gender, and education. Results: Compared with NFMA patients, patients cured from Cushing’s disease had lower scores on the Mini Mental State Examination (P = 0.001), and on the memory quotient of the Wechsler Memory Scale (P = 0.050). Furthermore, patients cured from Cushing’s disease tended to recall fewer words on the imprinting (P = 0.013), immediate recall (P = 0.012), and delayed recall (P = 0.003) trials of the Verbal Learning Test of Rey. On the Rey Complex Figure Test, patients cured from Cushing’s disease had lower scores on both trials (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007) compared with NFMA patients. Patients cured from Cushing’s disease also made fewer correct substitutions on the Letter-Digit Substitution Test (P = 0.039) and came up with fewer correct patterns on the Figure Fluency Test (P = 0.003) compared with treated NFMA patients. Conclusions: Cognitive function, reflecting memory and executive functions, is impaired in patients despite long-term cure of Cushing’s disease. These observations indicate irreversible effects of previous hypercortisolism on cognitive function and, thus, on the central nervous system. These observations may also be of relevance for patients treated with high-dose exogenous glucocorticoids.

scholarly journals Are Impairments in Theory of Mind Specific to Borderline Personality Disorder?

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Normann-Eide ◽  
Bj⊘rnar Torske Antonsen ◽  
Elfrida Hartveit Kvarstein ◽  
Geir Pedersen ◽  
Anja Vaskinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Interpersonal Problems ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Per Se ◽  
The Relationship

Impaired theory of mind (ToM) is an assumed feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Yet, no studies have compared ToM abilities in patients with BPD, other personality disorders, and healthy controls, or investigated the relationship between ToM and severity of psychopathology and interpersonal problems. In this study, ToM was investigated by the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. No differences were found between the three groups in overall ToM abilities. The BPD group was, however, characterized by more excessive ToM (interpreted as hypermentalization). Yet, when differentiating between BPD and further severity indicators, excessive ToM was not specifically associated with a BPD diagnosis per se. Finally, there was a moderate association between hypermentalization and interpersonal problems in the BPD group. This study suggests that BPD patients tend to hypermentalize when they misinterpret social information, and that this tendency is related to the severity of their psychopathology.

scholarly journals M67. UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL COGNITION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA THROUGH THE LENS OF SCHIZOTYPY

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S160-S161
Author(s):  
Sara-Ann Lee ◽  
Keane Lim ◽  
Max Lam ◽  
Jimmy Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Cognitive Deficits ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Domain Scores

Abstract Background Social cognitive deficits are common, detectable across a wide range of tasks and appear to play a key role in influencing poor functioning in schizophrenia. Despite its importance as a treatment target, the factors that underlie social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia remains elusive. Schizotypy appears to be one such factor that can explain the variability in social cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. The study’s primary aim was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of social cognitive functioning and its relationship to schizotypy. Methods 108 patients and 70 healthy controls completed nine tasks across 4 social cognitive domains based on the SCOPE study. In addition, all participants completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Clinical symptoms were also rated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Results Theory of Mind, social perception, emotion processing and attribution bias were measured in patients with schizophrenia (n = 108) and healthy controls (n = 70). A social cognition composite score was calculated using principal components analysis. Cluster analysis on the derived factor scores revealed 3 clusters. Multiple univariate ANOVAS with Bonferroni correction were used to examine differences between the 3 clusters on each of the 4 social cognition domain scores, which indicated that higher social cognitive performance was related to lower schizotypy. In addition, results indicated that despite differences in the social cognitive performance among patients in the 3 clusters, they did not differ in clinical outcome measures. Discussion The primary aim of the study was to address gaps in the current literature by examining the relationship between social cognition and schizotypy. This study built upon past studies which had the tendency to focus on single, discrete domains by comparing the social cognitive performance of patients and controls using an extensive battery of tests, indexing four social cognitive domains. The significant differences on total SPQ score and the SPQ domain scores between the various clusters, coupled with the significant correlations between schizotypy and social cognition, reinforces the utility of schizotypy in refining our understanding of the variation in the degree of social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. In conclusion, this study substantiates the importance of understanding the relationship between social cognition and schizotypy. This could support and pave the way for the development and implementation of targeted social cognitive interventions catered to the patients’ level of deficit.

scholarly journals Childhood abuse and neglect in relation to the presence and persistence of psychotic and depressive symptomatology

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1363-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. van Dam ◽  
M. van Nierop ◽  
W. Viechtbauer ◽  
E. Velthorst ◽  
R. van Winkel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

BackgroundThe association between childhood trauma and psychotic and depressive symptomatology is well established. However, less is known about the specificity and course of these symptoms in relation to childhood trauma.MethodIn a large sample (n = 2765) of patients with psychosis (n = 1119), their siblings (n = 1057) and controls (n = 589), multivariate (mixed-effects) regression analyses with multiple outcomes were performed to examine the association between childhood trauma and psychotic and depressive symptomatology over a 3-year period.ResultsA dose–response relationship was found between childhood trauma and psychosis. Abuse was more strongly associated with positive symptoms than with negative symptoms whereas the strength of the associations between neglect and positive and negative symptoms was comparable. In patients, similar associations between childhood trauma and psychotic or depressive symptoms were found, and in siblings and controls, stronger associations were found between trauma and depressive symptomatology. Childhood trauma was not related to a differential course of symptoms over a 3-year time period.ConclusionsIn congruence with earlier work, our findings suggest that childhood trauma, and abuse in particular, is associated with (subthreshold) psychosis. However, childhood trauma does not seem to be associated with a differential course of symptoms, nor does it uniquely heighten the chance of developing (subthreshold) psychotic symptomatology. Our results indicate that trauma may instead contribute to a shared vulnerability for psychotic and depressive symptoms.

Measuring Childhood Abuse and Neglect in a Group of Female Indoor Sex Workers in the Netherlands: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Dutch Version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form

2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 856-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies L. Daalder ◽  
Stefan Bogaerts
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Dutch Version ◽  
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the responses to the Dutch version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form from a sample of 123 female indoor sex workers in The Netherlands. Results indicate the expected five-factor structure fit the data well. In line with Bernstein and others, the instrument was a valid measure of retrospective childhood abuse and neglect in this sample.

scholarly journals Executive function is inversely correlated with physical function: the cognitive profile of adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Mix ◽  
Olivia Schreiber-Katz ◽  
Claudia D. Wurster ◽  
Zeljko Uzelac ◽  
Sophia Platen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Cognitive Profile ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Smn Protein

Abstract Background Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) issues from mutations in the survival of motor neuron (SMN) 1 gene. Loss or reduction of the SMN protein results in progressive muscle weakness. Whether this protein deficiency also affects cortical function remains unclear. While no data on adult patients exists so far, prior studies in children with SMA indicate cognitive abilities equal or even superior to healthy controls. This may suggest a possible compensatory—neuropsychological and interactional—process. The goal of this study was to assess the cognitive profile of adult patients with SMA, with a special focus on social cognition as a potential candidate for enhanced cognitive function through compensatory processes. Methods In a cross-sectional design, N = 31 adult SMA patients (types II and III) were assessed for language, verbal fluency, memory, visuospatial abilities and executive function with the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen and for social cognition with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Physical function was evaluated using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded. N = 19 neurologically healthy controls were matched with patients for age, sex and years of education. Results In none of the abovementioned cognitive domains significant differences between SMA patients and controls were found. Among patients, no differences between type II SMA and type III SMA were detected for any domain. However, a trend towards better social cognition in patients with type II SMA, compared to those with type III SMA was observed. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation of physical function and executive function was detected: lower motor function was associated with a better executive function. Conclusions This study shows cognitive abilities in adult SMA in the normal range for all assessed domains. Thus, reduction of SMN protein has no obvious negative impact on cognitive function. Executive functions are identified as the only cognitive domain correlated with disease severity. Therefore, executive functions may play a role in the adaptation to physical restrictions in SMA, making them a promising target for future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document