BACKGROUND: Although a deficit in social cognition is regarded as an early indicator of schizophrenia, few studies have investigated social cognition in ultra-high-risk (UHR) individuals. METHODS: Our investigation involved subjects at UHR for psychosis (N=33) and an age- and IQ-matched healthy control (HC) group (N=36). Two types of theory of mind (ToM) tasks and a neuropsychological test battery were measured. RESULTS: Compared to the HC group, the UHR group performed significantly worse for ToM tasks, with the effect size at an intermediate level (0.64-0.68). Furthermore, the UHR group showed impaired performance in the executive and working memory tests, but not verbal memory tests. These deficits for ToM tests observed in the UHR group were significantly correlated with set-shifting tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in social cognition may be modest at the prodromal stage of schizophrenia and may be attributed to prefrontal dysfunction. To prevent or delay transition to psychosis, there is a need for specific preventive strategies targeting social functioning for the UHR group.
BACKGROUND: Although a deficit in social cognition is regarded as an early indicator of schizophrenia, few studies have investigated social cognition in ultra-high-risk (UHR) individuals. METHODS: Our investigation involved subjects at UHR for psychosis (N=33) and an age- and IQ-matched healthy control (HC) group (N=36). Two types of theory of mind (ToM) tasks and a neuropsychological test battery were measured. RESULTS: Compared to the HC group, the UHR group performed significantly worse for ToM tasks, with the effect size at an intermediate level (0.64-0.68). Furthermore, the UHR group showed impaired performance in the executive and working memory tests, but not verbal memory tests. These deficits for ToM tests observed in the UHR group were significantly correlated with set-shifting tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Deficits in social cognition may be modest at the prodromal stage of schizophrenia and may be attributed to prefrontal dysfunction. To prevent or delay transition to psychosis, there is a need for specific preventive strategies targeting social functioning for the UHR group.
Authors: Wi Hoon Jung; June Sic Kim; Joon Hwan Jang; Jung-Seok Choi; Myung Hun Jung; Ji-Young Park; Ji Yeon Han; Chi-Hoon Choi; Do-Hyung Kang; Chun Kee Chung; Jun Soo Kwon Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2009-12-21 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Emma Yong; Mariapaola Barbato; David L Penn; Richard S E Keefe; Scott W Woods; Diana O Perkins; Jean Addington Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2014-04-12 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Tejas S Bhojraj; John A Sweeney; Konasale M Prasad; Shaun M Eack; Alan N Francis; Jean M Miewald; Debra M Montrose; Matcheri S Keshavan Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2010-05-02 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: Matcheri S Keshavan; Shreedhar Kulkarni; Tejas Bhojraj; Alan Francis; Vaibhav Diwadkar; Debra M Montrose; Larry J Seidman; John Sweeney Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2010-03-09 Impact factor: 3.169