Negative Symptom Domains Are Associated With Verbal Learning in Adolescents With Early Onset Psychosis

Bibliographic Data

ID15518323
AuthorsLynn Mørch‐Johnsen (0000-0002-0185-3713, Østfold Hospital Trust, corresponding author), Lynn Mørch-Johnsen, Runar Elle Smelror (0000-0001-8611-6132, Diakonhjemmet Hospital), Dimitrios Andreou (0000-0003-4735-3383, University of Oslo), Claudia Barth (0000-0001-6544-0945, Diakonhjemmet Hospital), Cecilie Johannessen (Oslo University Hospital), Kirsten Wedervang‐Resell (0000-0002-2856-5412, University of Oslo), Kirsten Wedervang-Resell, Laura A Wortinger (0000-0003-2721-3172, Diakonhjemmet Hospital), Ricardo Díaz, Ricardo Díaz Sánchez (0000-0003-1188-6794), Gamaliel Victoria Figueroa (0000-0003-0715-4144), Gamaliel Victoria, Torill Ueland (0000-0002-8638-1152, University of Oslo), Ole A Andreassen (0000-0002-4461-3568, University of Oslo), Anne M Myhre (0000-0001-7702-3962, University of Oslo), Bjørn Rishovd Rund (0000-0002-0939-0012, University of Oslo), Rosa Elena Ulloa (0000-0001-6205-9188), Ingrid Agartz (0000-0002-9839-5391, University of Oslo)
Year2022
Volume12
Pages825681-825681
Publication date2022-01-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.825681
PMID35069300
OpenAlexW4205166921
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited66

Background: Early-onset psychosis (EOP) is among the leading causes of disease burden in adolescents. Negative symptoms and cognitive deficits predicts poorer functional outcome. A better understanding of the association between negative symptoms and cognitive impairment may inform theories on underlying mechanisms and elucidate targets for development of new treatments. Two domains of negative symptoms have been described in adult patients with schizophrenia: apathy and diminished expression , however, the factorial structure of negative symptoms has not been investigated in EOP. We aimed to explore the factorial structure of negative symptoms and investigate associations between cognitive performance and negative symptom domains in adolescents with EOP. We hypothesized that (1) two negative symptom factors would be identifiable, and that (2) diminished expression would be more strongly associated with cognitive performance, similar to adult psychosis patients. Methods: Adolescent patients with non-affective EOP ( n = 169) were included from three cohorts: Youth-TOP, Norway ( n = 45), Early-Onset Study, Norway ( n = 27) and Adolescent Schizophrenia Study, Mexico ( n = 97). An exploratory factor analysis was performed to investigate the underlying structure of negative symptoms (measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)). Factor-models were further assessed using confirmatory factor analyses. Associations between negative symptom domains and six cognitive domains were assessed using multiple linear regression models controlling for age, sex and cohort. The neurocognitive domains from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery included: speed of processing, attention, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, and reasoning and problem solving. Results: The exploratory factor analysis of PANSS negative symptoms suggested retaining only a single factor, but a forced two factor solution corroborated previously described factors of apathy and diminished expression in adult-onset schizophrenia. Results from confirmatory factor analysis indicated a better fit for the two-factor model than for the one-factor model. For both negative symptom domains, negative symptom scores were inversely associated with verbal learning scores. Conclusion: The results support the presence of two domains of negative symptoms in EOP; apathy and diminished expression. Future studies on negative symptoms in EOP should examine putative differential effects of these symptom domains. For both domains, negative symptom scores were significantly inversely associated with verbal learning

Developmental psychology · Psychiatry · Psychosis · Schizophrenia (object-oriented programming · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Psychology · Schizophrenia research and treatment

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