scholarly journals Executive functioning in schizophrenia and the relationship with symptom profile and chronicity

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 782-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHRYN E. GREENWOOD ◽  
ROBIN MORRIS ◽  
THORDUR SIGMUNDSSON ◽  
SABINE LANDAU ◽  
TIL WYKES
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Executive Processes ◽  
Process Measures ◽  
Symptom Profile ◽  
Executive Process ◽  
Executive Impairment ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Symptom Type

This study reports the executive function profile in people with schizophrenia, with a simultaneous comparison of chronicity and of those with predominately disorganization versus psychomotor poverty symptoms. The patients were split into one set defined according to symptoms (29 with disorganization, 29 with negative symptoms) and the other representing chronicity (22 first-episode, 35 chronic) and compared with 28 healthy controls on a broad range of executive process measures. Differences were investigated in both the severity and profile of impairments. Impairment patterns interacted with symptom groups, with disorganization and psychomotor poverty symptom groups showing different profiles of executive impairment. In contrast, across these same executive processes, impairment profiles were similar between first episode and chronic schizophrenia and became more similar, particularly for working memory, when controlling for disorganization symptoms. The executive profile, therefore, is related to symptom type rather than chronicity. (JINS, 2008, 14, 782–792.)

Theory of mind in the early course of schizophrenia: stability, symptom and neurocognitive correlates, and relationship with functioning

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2031-2043 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ventura ◽  
A. Ered ◽  
D. Gretchen-Doorly ◽  
K. L. Subotnik ◽  
W. P. Horan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Role Functioning ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Early Course ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundNumerous studies have reported links between theory of mind (ToM) deficits, neurocognition and negative symptoms with functional outcome in chronic schizophrenia patients. Although the ToM deficit has been observed in first-episode patients, fewer studies have addressed ToM as a possible trait marker, neurocognitive and symptom correlations longitudinally, and associations with later functioning.MethodRecent-onset schizophrenia patients (n = 77) were assessed at baseline after reaching medication stabilization, and again at 6 months (n = 48). Healthy controls (n = 21) were screened, and demographically comparable with the patients. ToM was assessed with a Social Animations Task (SAT), in which the participants’ descriptions of scenes depicting abstract visual stimuli ‘interacting’ in three conditions (ToM, goal directed and random) were rated for degree of intentionality attributed to the figures and for appropriateness. Neurocognition, symptoms and role functioning were also assessed.ResultsOn the SAT, patients had lower scores than controls for both intentionality (p < 0.01) and appropriateness (p < 0.01) during the ToM condition, at baseline and 6 months. The ToM deficit was stable and present even in remitted patients. Analyses at baseline and 6 months indicated that for patients, ToM intentionality and appropriateness were significantly correlated with neurocognition, negative symptoms and role functioning. The relationship between ToM and role functioning was mediated by negative symptoms.ConclusionsThe ToM deficit was found in recent-onset schizophrenia patients and appears to be moderately trait-like. ToM is also moderately correlated with neurocognition, negative and positive symptoms, and role functioning. ToM appears to influence negative symptoms which in turn makes an impact on role functioning.

Panic Attacks in Chronic Schizophrenia

1990 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Argyle
Keyword(s):  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Social Phobia ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Of 20 patients attending a clinic for maintenance therapy of schizophrenia, seven had regular panic attacks, and these were often associated with agoraphobia and social phobia. Similar fears and avoidance in other cases were associated with paranoid ideas and negative symptoms. The relationship of panic to psychotic symptoms varied greatly. In two patients neuroleptics were associated with an increase in panic attacks.

Abnormal Emotional Responses to Pleasant and Unpleasant Visual Stimuli in First Episode Schizophrenia: f-MRI Investigation

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
M. Casacchia ◽  
M. Mazza ◽  
A. Catalucci ◽  
R. Pollice ◽  
M. Gallucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Psychiatric Service ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Affective Deficits ◽  
Oxygenation Level ◽  
Mri Study

Aims:Affective deficits (flat affect, a diminished expression of emotion, anhedonia, and lowered ability to experience pleasure) are very common in schizophrenia. In emotion feeling, the crucial role of the insula, rather than of the primary somatosensory cortices, strongly suggests that the neural substrate for emotions is not merely sensorial. It is more likely that the activation of the insula representation of the viscero-motor activity is responsible for feeling of disgust. A recent MRI study demonstrated specific left anterior insular volume reduction in chronic schizophrenia patients: sustainable is the suggestion that emotion of disgust or of taste may be related to the experience of pleasure, which probably is compromise in schizophrenics.We investigated fMRI brain activations in first episode schizophrenic subjects with negative symptoms and in healthy subjects elicited by pleasant and unpleasant visual stimuli.Method:Ten first-episode schizophrenic subjects with normal IQ were recruited from the psychiatric service “SMILE” of San Salvatore Hospital and 10 healthy volunteers matched for age and education were scanned during observation of pleasant and unpleasant visual stimuli. Functional images were acquired with a 1.5T MRI scanner. Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast was obtained using EPI T2* weighted images.Results:The most important result of the study was the demonstration that anterior insula was activated by the exposure to disgusting stimula in normal subjects but not in schizophrenic subjects.Conclusion:This failure of the neural systems used to support emotional attribution is consistent with pervasive problems in experiencing emotions by schizophrenics.

Predictors of outcome in first-episode schizophrenia over the first 4 years of illness

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1141-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Whitty ◽  
M. Clarke ◽  
O. McTigue ◽  
S. Browne ◽  
M. Kamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Global Assessment Of Functioning ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Course Of Illness ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

BackgroundThe outcome of schizophrenia appears to be more favourable than once thought. However, methodological issues, including the reliance on diagnosis at first presentation have limited the validity of outcome studies to date.MethodWe conducted a first-episode follow-up study of 97 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia over the first 4 years of illness. First presentation and follow-up assessments were compared using paired t tests and a forced-entry regression analysis was used to determine prognostic variables.ResultsThere were significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms and global assessment of functioning between first presentation and follow-up. At first presentation, fewer negative symptoms (t=−3.40, p<0.01), more years spent in education (t=3.25, p<0.01), and a shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) (t=−2.77, p<0.01) significantly predicted a better outcome at follow-up.ConclusionsThe outcome of schizophrenia may not be as pessimistic as once thought and most patients did not display a downward deteriorating course of illness. This study supports the relationship between DUP and outcome beyond the early stages of illness.

scholarly journals BDNF as a Biomarker of Cognition in Schizophrenia/Psychosis: An Updated Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo R. Nieto ◽  
Andrea Carrasco ◽  
Sebastian Corral ◽  
Rolando Castillo ◽  
Pablo A. Gaspar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Review Article ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Cognitive Symptoms ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
The Relationship

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been linked to cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, which has been documented in previous reviews by several authors. However, a trend has recently emerged in this field moving from studying schizophrenia as a disease to studying psychosis as a group. This review article focuses on recent BDNF studies in relation to cognition in human subjects during different stages of the psychotic process, including subjects at high risk of developing psychosis, patients at their first episode of psychosis, and patients with chronic schizophrenia. We aim to provide an update of BDNF as a biomarker of cognitive function on human subjects with schizophrenia or earlier stages of psychosis, covering new trends, controversies, current research gaps, and suggest potential future developments in the field. We found that most of current research regarding BDNF and cognitive symptoms in psychosis is done around schizophrenia as a disease. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the study of the relationship between BDNF and cognitive symptoms to psychotic illnesses of different stages and origins.

scholarly journals Duration of untreated psychosis and social function: 1-year follow-up study of first-episode schizophrenia

2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. E. Barnes ◽  
Verity C. Leeson ◽  
Stanley H. Mutsatsa ◽  
Hilary C. Watt ◽  
Sam B. Hutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Social Function ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Duration Of Untreated Psychosis ◽  
Clinical Difference ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

BackgroundIn first-episode schizophrenia, longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) predicts poorer outcomes.AimsTo address whether the relationship between DUP and outcome is a direct causal one or the result of association between symptoms and/or cognitive functioning and social functioning at the same time point.MethodSymptoms, social function and cognitive function were assessed in 98 patients with first-episode schizphrenia at presentation and 1 year later.ResultsThere was no significant clinical difference between participants with short and long DUP at presentation. Linear regression analyses revealed that longer DUP significantly predicted more severe positive and negative symptoms and poorer social function at 1 year, independent of scores at presentation. Path analyses revealed independent direct relationships between DUP and social function, core negative symptoms and positive symptoms. There was no significant association between DUP and cognition.ConclusionsLonger DUP predicts poor social function independently of symptoms. The findings underline the importance of taking account of the phenomenological overlap between measures of negative symptoms and social function when investigating the effects of DUP.

scholarly journals The Cognitive Model of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Hierarchical Component Model With PLS-SEM

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ebrahimi ◽  
Hamid Poursharifi ◽  
Behrooz Dolatshahi ◽  
Omid Rezaee ◽  
Hamid Reza Hassanabadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Model ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Component Model ◽  
Vicious Cycle ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Dysfunctional Beliefs ◽  
Hierarchical Component Model ◽  
The Relationship

The cognitive model of negative symptoms suggests that some dysfunctional beliefs mediate the relationship between neurocognitive deficits and negative symptoms and disability. This study tested the hypothesis that dysfunctional performance beliefs mediate neurocognitive deficits, negative symptoms, and disability. We used a hierarchal component model with 85 men patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Results showed a moderate to strong correlation between dysfunctional performance beliefs, neurocognitive deficits, negative symptoms, and disability. These results support the Hierarchal component model (HCM) of the cognitive model of negative symptoms. Our results indicated that the disability in schizophrenia is mediated through dysfunctional performance beliefs, neurocognitive deficits, and negative symptoms pathway. Further, dysfunctional performance beliefs have a crucial role in this pathway. Therefore, targeting this vicious cycle of dysfunctional beliefs can improve disability in patients with schizophrenia.

Toxic psychosis? Duration of untreated psychosis, symptomatology and cognitive deterioration in first episode psychosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Lawoyin ◽  
Keith Gaynor ◽  
Barbara Dooley ◽  
Elizabeth Lawlor ◽  
Mary Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Deterioration ◽  
Duration Of Untreated Psychosis ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

AbstractObjectives: To examine the relationship between cognitive deficits, the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and positive and negative symptoms in a first episode psychosis sample.Method: We assessed a consecutive sample of first episode psychosis participants from a catchment area service with a comprehensive neuropsychology battery, a family and service-user based measure of DUP and measures of symptomatology.Results: Using correlations and stepwise linear regressions, we found strong relationships between measures of DUP and positive symptomatology. We found that positive and negative symptoms were associated with different time periods within DUP. However, we did not find evidence of a relationship between DUP and cognitive factors.Conclusions: There was no evidence of a relationship between DUP and cognitive deterioration. However, there does appear to be evidence of a relationship between positive symptoms and aspects of DUP. These results highlight the importance of the heterogeneity of DUP and the potential to reduce positive symptoms through early intervention.

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