Neuropsychological functioning and diagnosis in early psychosis

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine whether neuropsychological profiles of young first‐episode psychosis (FEP) patients varied according to diagnosis.Methods A sample of 94 FEP patients aged 13–25 were recruited as part of The Western Sydney First Episode Psychosis Project. Subjects completed a comprehensive battery of tests, grouped into 10 cognitive domains. Differences in cognitive profiles were examined in three diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, mood disorders, mixed psychosis) and compared to healthy controls. Correlations between neuropsychological deficits and clinical characteristics were explored.Results Patterns of deficit were similar across diagnostic categories, but areas of selective deficit differentiated psychotic mood disorders from schizophrenia and other psychosis. Results indicated greater deficits in verbal learning and memory for schizophrenia than psychotic mood disorders. The Mood disorders group demonstrated selective deficits only on speeded processing tasks. Negative symptoms were associated with poorer neuropsychological functioning.Conclusions Results confirm that significant cognitive deficits are evident in early psychosis and are present regardless of traditional diagnostic categorizations. However, results indicate that schizophrenia and mood disorders can be distinguished on the basis of areas of selective deficit.