Course of cognitive functioning in first episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Studies of cognitive functioning in patients with first episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders can be particularly informative. Through the use of electronic- and bibliography-based searches, the authors identified studies examining the course of cognitive functioning in first episode patients. The results of this review indicated that first episode patients at presentation for treatment often show compromised cognitive functioning, particularly in the domains of verbal learning and memory, psychomotor speed and attention. However, in comparison with patients with a longer illness history, first episode patients demonstrate significantly superior performance. In longitudinal studies of first episode patients, cognitive functioning generally remained static, suggesting limited change in performance over the first several years of the illness. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.