Antonio Vita1,2, Wolfgang Gaebel3,4, Armida Mucci5, Gabriele Sachs6, Andreas Erfurth6, Stefano Barlati1,2, Federico Zanca5, Giulia Maria Giordano5, Louise Birkedal Glenthøj7,8, Merete Nordentoft7,9, Silvana Galderisi5. 1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. 2. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy. 3. WHO Collaborating Centre on Quality Assurance and Empowerment in Mental Health DEU-131, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. 5. University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. 6. Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria. 7. CORE - Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. 8. Department of Psychology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark. 9. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Impairment in a wide range of cognitive abilities has been consistently reported in individuals with schizophrenia. Both neurocognitive and social cognitive deficits are thought to underlie severe functional disabilities associated with schizophrenia. Despite the key role in schizophrenia outcome, cognition is still poorly assessed in both research and clinical settings. METHODS: In this guidance paper, we provide a systematic review of the scientific literature and elaborate several recommendations for the assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia both in research settings and in real-world clinical practice. RESULTS: Expert consensus and systematic reviews provided guidance for the optimal assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia. Based on the reviewed evidence, we recommend a comprehensive and systematic assessment of neurocognitive and social cognitive domains in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder, as well as in subjects at risk to develop psychosis. This European Psychiatric Association guidance recommends not only the use of observer reports but also self-reports and interview-based cognitive assessment tools. The guidance also provides a systematic review of the state of the art of assessment in the first episode of psychosis patients and in individuals at risk for psychosis. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive review of the evidence and the recommendations might contribute to advance the field, allowing a better cognitive assessment, and avoiding overlaps with other psychopathological dimensions. The dissemination of this guidance paper may promote the development of shared guidelines concerning the assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia, with the purpose to improve the quality of care and to obtain recovery.
BACKGROUND: Impairment in a wide range of cognitive abilities has been consistently reported in individuals with schizophrenia. Both neurocognitive and social cognitive deficits are thought to underlie severe functional disabilities associated with schizophrenia. Despite the key role in schizophrenia outcome, cognition is still poorly assessed in both research and clinical settings. METHODS: In this guidance paper, we provide a systematic review of the scientific literature and elaborate several recommendations for the assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia both in research settings and in real-world clinical practice. RESULTS: Expert consensus and systematic reviews provided guidance for the optimal assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia. Based on the reviewed evidence, we recommend a comprehensive and systematic assessment of neurocognitive and social cognitive domains in schizophrenia, in all phases of the disorder, as well as in subjects at risk to develop psychosis. This European Psychiatric Association guidance recommends not only the use of observer reports but also self-reports and interview-based cognitive assessment tools. The guidance also provides a systematic review of the state of the art of assessment in the first episode of psychosis patients and in individuals at risk for psychosis. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive review of the evidence and the recommendations might contribute to advance the field, allowing a better cognitive assessment, and avoiding overlaps with other psychopathological dimensions. The dissemination of this guidance paper may promote the development of shared guidelines concerning the assessment of cognitive functions in schizophrenia, with the purpose to improve the quality of care and to obtain recovery.
Authors: Richard S E Keefe; Robert M Bilder; Philip D Harvey; Sonia M Davis; Barton W Palmer; James M Gold; Herbert Y Meltzer; Michael F Green; Del D Miller; Jose M Canive; Lawrence W Adler; Theo C Manschreck; Marvin Swartz; Robert Rosenheck; Diana O Perkins; Trina M Walker; T Scott Stroup; Joseph P McEvoy; Jeffrey A Lieberman Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2006-04-19 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Joseph Ventura; Steven P Reise; Richard S E Keefe; Lyle E Baade; James M Gold; Michael F Green; Robert S Kern; Raquelle Mesholam-Gately; Keith H Nuechterlein; Larry J Seidman; Robert M Bilder Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2010-06-12 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Margo R Genderson; Dwight Dickinson; Catherine M Diaz-Asper; Michael F Egan; Daniel R Weinberger; Terry E Goldberg Journal: Schizophr Res Date: 2007-06-13 Impact factor: 4.939