Neurocognitive development in first episode psychosis 5 years follow-up: associations between illness severity and cognitive course

Helene Eidsmo Barder, Kjetil Sundet, Bjørn Rishovd Rund, Julie Evensen, Ulrik Haahr, Wenche Ten Velden Hegelstad, Inge Joa, Jan Olav Johannessen, Hans Langeveld, T K Larsen, Ingrid Melle, Stein Opjordsmoen, Jan Ivar Røssberg, Erik Simonsen, Per Vaglum, Thomas McGlashan, Svein Friis

29 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Cognitive deficits are documented in first-episode psychosis (FEP), but the continuing course is not fully understood. The present study examines the longitudinal development of neurocognitive function in a five year follow-up of FEP-patients, focusing on the relation to illness severity, as measured by relapses and diagnostic subgroups. The study is an extension of previous findings from the TIPS-project, reporting stability over the first two years. Sixty-two FEP patients (53% male, age 28 ± 9 years) were neuropsychologically examined at baseline and at 1, 2, and 5 year follow-ups. The test battery was divided into five indices; Verbal Learning, Executive Function, Impulsivity, Motor Speed, and Working Memory. To investigate the effect of illness severity, the sample was divided in groups based on number of relapses, and diagnostic subgroups, respectively. Impulsivity and Working Memory improved significantly in the first two years, followed by no change over the next three years. Motor Speed decreased significantly from 2 to 5 years. Number of relapses was significantly related to Verbal Learning and Working Memory, showing a small decrease and less improvement, respectively, in patients with two or more episodes. No significant association was found with diagnostic group. Neurocognitive stability as well as change was found in a sample of FEP-patients examined repeatedly over 5 years. Of potential greater importance for understanding how psychotic illnesses progress, is the finding of significant associations between neurocognition and number of relapses but not diagnostic group, indicating that neurocognition is more related to recurring psychotic episodes than to the descriptive diagnosis per se.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSchizophrenia Research
Vol/bind149
Udgave nummer1-3
Sider (fra-til)63-9
Antal sider7
ISSN0920-9964
DOI
StatusUdgivet - sep. 2013

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