Targeted cognitive training improves auditory and verbal outcomes among treatment refractory schizophrenia patients mandated to residential care

Examining the relationships between cognition and auditory hallucinations: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) have been associated with a range of altered cognitive functions, pertaining to signal detection, source-monitoring, memory, inhibition and language processes. Yet, empirical results are inconsistent. Despite this, several theoretical models of auditory hallucinations persist, alongside increasing emphasis on the utility of a multidimensional framework. Thus, clarification of current evidence across the broad scope of proposed mechanisms is warranted.

METHOD

A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted. Records were screened to confirm the use of an objective behavioural cognitive task, and valid measurement of hallucinations specific to the auditory modality.

RESULTS

Auditory hallucinations were primarily associated with difficulties in perceptual decision-making (i.e. reduced sensitivity/accuracy for signal-noise discrimination; liberal responding to ambiguity), source-monitoring (i.e. self-other and temporal context confusion), working memory and language function (i.e. reduced verbal fluency). Mixed or limited support was observed for perceptual feature discrimination, imagery vividness/illusion susceptibility, source-monitoring for stimulus form and spatial context, recognition and recall memory, executive functions (e.g. attention, inhibition), emotion processing and language comprehension/hemispheric organisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings were considered within predictive coding and self-monitoring frameworks. Of concern was the portion of studies which - despite offering auditory-hallucination-specific aims and inferences - employed modality-general measures, and/or diagnostic-based contrasts with psychologically healthy individuals. This review highlights disparities within the literature between theoretical conceptualisations of auditory hallucinations and the body of rigorous empirical evidence supporting such inferences. Future cognitive investigations, beyond the schizophrenia-spectrum, which explicitly define and measure the timeframe and sensory modality of hallucinations, are recommended.

Early auditory processing abnormalities alter individual learning trajectories and sensitivity to computerized cognitive training in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Auditory system plasticity is a promising target for neuromodulation, cognitive rehabilitation and therapeutic development in schizophrenia (SZ). Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) is a 'bottom up' intervention designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing, which has been shown to improve neurocognition in certain SZ patients. However, the dynamics of TCT learning as a function of training exercises and their impact on neurocognitive functioning and therapeutic outcomes are unknown.

METHODS

Forty subjects (SZ, n = 21; healthy subjects (HS), n = 19) underwent comprehensive clinical, cognitive, and auditory assessments, including measurements of auditory processing speed (APS) at baseline and after 1-h of TCT. SZ patients additionally completed 30-hours of TCT and repeated assessments ~10-12 weeks later.

RESULTS

SZ patients were deficient in APS at baseline (d = 0.96, p < 0.005) relative to HS. After 1-h of TCT, analyses revealed significant main effects of diagnosis (d = 1.75, p = 0.002) and time (d = 1.04, p < 0.001), and a diagnosis × time interaction (d = 0.85, p = 0.02) on APS. APS learning effects were robust after 1-h in SZ patients (d = 1.47, p < 0.001) and persisted throughout the 30-h of training. Baseline APS was associated with verbal learning gains after 30-h of TCT (r = 0.51, p = 0.02) in SZ.

CONCLUSIONS

TCT learning metrics may have prognostic utility and aid in the prospective identification of individuals likely to benefit from TCT. Future experimental medicine studies may advance predictive algorithms that enhance TCT-related clinical, cognitive and functional outcomes.

Cross-modal associative memory impairment in schizophrenia

Impaired associative memory function in patients with schizophrenia has received considerable attention. However, previous studies have primarily concentrated on unisensory materials, which limits our understanding of the broader implications of this impairment. In this study, we sought to expand on this knowledge by examining two types of associative memory domains in individuals with schizophrenia, leveraging both visual (Vis) and auditory (Aud) materials. A total of 32 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy controls were recruited to participate in the study. Each participant participated in an experiment composed of three paradigms in which different abstract materials (Aud-Aud, Aud-Vis, and Vis-Vis) were presented. Subsequently, the discriminability scores of the two groups were calculated and compared in different modal tasks. Results from the study indicated that individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated varying degrees of associative memory dysfunction in both the same and cross-modalities, with the latter having a significantly lower score than healthy controls (t = 4.120, p < 0.001). Additionally, the cross-modal associative memory function was significantly and negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (r = -0.362, p = 0.042). This study provides evidence of abnormalities in the processing and memorization of information that integrates multiple sensory modalities in individuals with schizophrenia. This is of great significance for further understanding the cognitive symptoms and pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia, potentially guiding the development of relevant interventions and treatment methods.

Mismatch negativity predicts initial auditory-based targeted cognitive training performance in a heterogeneous population across psychiatric disorders

Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (ATCT) programs are emerging pro-cognitive therapeutic interventions which aim to improve auditory processing to attenuate cognitive impairment in a "bottom up" manner. Biomarkers of early auditory information processing (EAIP) like mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a have been used successfully to predict gains from a full 40 h course of ATCT in schizophrenia (SZ). Here we investigated the ability of EAIP biomarkers to predict ATCT performance in a group of subjects (n = 26) across SZ, MDD, PTSD and GAD diagnoses. Cognition was assessed via the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and MMN/P3a were collected prior to completing 1 h of "Sound Sweeps," a representative ATCT exercise. Baseline and final performance over the first two levels of cognitive training served as the primary dependent variables. Groups had similar MMN, but the SZ group had attenuated P3a. MMN and MCCB cognitive domain t-scores, but not P3a, were strongly correlated with most ATCT performance measures, and explained up to 61% of variance in ATCT performance. Diagnosis was not a significant predictor for ATCT performance. These data suggest that MMN can predict ATCT performance in heterogeneous neuropsychiatric populations and should be considered in ATCT studies across diagnostically diverse cohorts.

Cognitive and clinical characteristics of offenders and non-offenders diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: results of the Recoviwel observational study

The association between schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and violent behavior is complex and requires further research. The cognitive correlates of violent behavior, in particular, remain to be further investigated. Aims of the present study were to comprehensively assess the cognitive and clinical profile of SSD violent offenders and evaluate individual predictors of violent behavior. Fifty inmates convicted for violent crimes in a forensic psychiatry setting and diagnosed with SSD were compared to fifty non-offender patients matched for age, gender, education, and diagnosis. Offender and non-offender participants were compared based on socio-demographic, clinical, and cognitive variables using non-parametric testing to select potential predictors of violent behavior. Multivariate logistic regressions were then performed to identify individual predictors of violent behavior. Offender participants showed more school failures, higher prevalence of substance use, higher Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excited Component (PANSS-EC) scores, worse working memory and better attention performance, higher Historical Clinical and Risk Management scale 20 (HCR-20) and Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) scores in all subdomains and factors. School failures, higher PANSS-EC scores, worse working memory and processing speed, better attention performance, higher scores in HCR-20 Management subscale and the PCL-R "Callous" factor emerged as predictors of violent behavior. Better attentional performance was correlated with higher PCL-R "Callous" factor scores, worse cognitive performance in several domains with higher PCL-R "Unstable" factor scores. In conclusion, the present study highlights the importance of carefully assessing SSD patients with violent behavior in all clinical, cognitive, and behavioral aspects.

Technology and Mental Health: State of the Art for Assessment and Treatment

Technology is ubiquitous in society and is now being extensively used in mental health applications. Both assessment and treatment strategies are being developed and deployed at a rapid pace. The authors review the current domains of technology utilization, describe standards for quality evaluation, and forecast future developments. This review examines technology-based assessments of cognition, emotion, functional capacity and everyday functioning, virtual reality approaches to assessment and treatment, ecological momentary assessment, passive measurement strategies including geolocation, movement, and physiological parameters, and technology-based cognitive and functional skills training. There are many technology-based approaches that are evidence based and are supported through the results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Other strategies are less well supported by high-quality evidence at present, but there are evaluation standards that are well articulated at this time. There are some clear challenges in selection of applications for specific conditions, but in several areas, including cognitive training, randomized clinical trials are available to support these interventions. Some of these technology-based interventions have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration, which has clear standards for which types of applications, and which claims about them, need to be reviewed by the agency and which are exempt.

Genetic Influences on Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe and debilitating psychotic disorder that is highly heritable and relatively common in the population. The clinical heterogeneity associated with schizophrenia is substantial, with patients exhibiting a broad range of deficits and symptom severity. Large-scale genomic studies employing a case-control design have begun to provide some biological insight. However, this strategy combines individuals with clinically diverse symptoms and ignores the genetic risk that is carried by many clinically unaffected individuals. Consequently, the majority of the genetic architecture underlying schizophrenia remains unexplained, and the pathways by which the implicated variants contribute to the clinically observable signs and symptoms are still largely unknown. Parsing the complex, clinical phenotype of schizophrenia into biologically relevant components may have utility in research aimed at understanding the genetic basis of liability. Cognitive dysfunction is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia that is associated with impaired quality of life and poor functional outcome. Here, we examine the value of quantitative measures of cognitive dysfunction to objectively target the underlying neurobiological pathways and identify genetic variants and gene networks contributing to schizophrenia risk. For a complex disorder, quantitative measures are also more efficient than diagnosis, allowing for the identification of associated genetic variants with fewer subjects. Such a strategy supplements traditional analyses of schizophrenia diagnosis, providing the necessary biological insight to help translate genetic findings into actionable treatment targets. Understanding the genetic basis of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia may thus facilitate the development of novel pharmacological and procognitive interventions to improve real-world functioning.

Remote group therapies for cognitive health in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: Feasible, acceptable, engaging

Severe cognitive impairments and cognitive distortions are core to schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs) and are associated with deteriorated social functioning. Despite well-established efficacy of group psychosocial therapies targeting cognitive health in SSDs, dissemination of these programs remains limited. Remote delivery offers a promising strategy for increasing the programs' accessibility. Yet, little research has evaluated group therapies for cognitive health delivered in this way. Thus, we aimed to assess, from participants' and therapists' perspectives, the feasibility, acceptability, as well as levels and process of engagement in a videoconference delivery of group psychosocial therapies for SSD patients' cognitive health. Participants, outpatients, attended Action Based Cognitive Remediation or Metacognitive Training, both adapted for videoconference. Then, participants and therapists completed post-therapy questionnaires. Of the 28 participants attending at least one session, 75% completed more than half of sessions and seven dropped out. Technology did not appear to significantly hinder participation in the programs. All completing participants reported a positive experience with therapy, 67% were not bothered by the distance from the therapist, and 77% trusted that the information shared was kept confidential. Therapist-rated levels of attention M = 7.5/9 (SD = 1.04), participation M = 6.91/9 (SD = 1.32), and social interactions M = 5.31/9 (SD = 1.96) were satisfactory. Nonetheless, participants indicated that they would have appreciated more social interactions with group members. These positive results validate the earliest stage in the implementation process for remote group therapies targeting cognitive health in SSDs. Remote delivery promises to improve access to therapies targeting cognitive health and, ultimately, facilitate functional recovery for SSD patients.

The viability of the frequency following response characteristics for use as biomarkers of cognitive therapeutics in schizophrenia

Deficits in early auditory information processing contribute to cognitive and psychosocial disability; this has prompted development of interventions that target low-level auditory processing, which may alleviate these disabilities. The frequency following response (FFR) is a constellation of event-related potential and frequency characteristics that reflect the processing of acoustic stimuli at the level of the brainstem and ascending portions of the auditory pathway. While FFR is a promising candidate biomarker of response to auditory-based cognitive training interventions, the psychometric properties of FFR in schizophrenia patients have not been studied. Here we assessed the psychometric reliability and magnitude of group differences across 18 different FFR parameters to determine which of these parameters demonstrate adequate internal consistency. Electroencephalography from 40 schizophrenia patients and 40 nonpsychiatric comparison subjects was recorded during rapid presentation of an auditory speech stimulus (6000 trials). Patients showed normal response amplitudes but longer latencies for most FFR peaks and lower signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) than healthy subjects. Analysis of amplitude and latency estimates of peaks, however, indicated a need for a substantial increase in task length to obtain internal consistency estimates above 0.80. In contrast, excellent internal consistency (>0.95) was shown for FFR sustained responses. Only SNR scores reflecting the FFR sustained response yielded significant group differences and excellent internal consistency, suggesting that this measure is a viable candidate for use in clinical treatment studies. The present study highlights the use of internal consistency estimates to select FFR characteristics for use in future intervention studies interested in individual differences among patients.

Evaluation of the frequency following response as a predictive biomarker of response to cognitive training in schizophrenia

Neurophysiological biomarkers of auditory processing show promise predicting outcomes following auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) in schizophrenia, but the viability of the frequency following response (FFR) as a biomarker has yet to be examined, despite its ecological and face validity for auditory-based interventions. FFR is an event-related potential (ERP) that reflects early auditory processing. We predicted that schizophrenia patients would show acute- and longer-term FFR malleability in the context of TCT. Patients were randomized to either TCT (n = 30) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22), and electroencephalography was recorded during rapid presentation of an auditory speech stimulus before treatment, after one hour of training, and after 30 h of training. Whereas patients in the TCT group did not show changes in FFR after training, amplitude reductions were observed in the TAU. FFR was positively associated with performance on a measure of single word-in-noise perception in the TCT group, and with a measure of sentence-in-noise perception in both groups. Psychometric reliability analyses of FFR scores indicated high internal consistency but low one-hour and 12-week test-rest reliability. These findings support the dissociation between measures of speech discriminability along the hierarchy of cortical and subcortical early auditory information processing in schizophrenia.

Central auditory processing deficits in schizophrenia: Effects of auditory-based cognitive training

BACKGROUND

Sensory processing abnormalities are common in schizophrenia (SZ) and impact everyday functions, such as speech perception in noisy environments. Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) is a "bottom up" cognitive remediation intervention designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of low-level auditory information processing. However, the effects of TCT on behavioral measures of central auditory processing (CAP) and the role of CAP function on verbal learning outcomes in SZ are unknown.

METHODS

SZ (n = 42) and healthy subjects (CTL; n = 18) underwent comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive, and auditory assessments, including tests of hearing sensitivity and speech recognition (Words-in-Noise (WIN), Quick Speech-in-Noise (SIN)). SZ patients were randomized to receive either treatment-as-usual (TAU); or 30-h of TCT + TAU using a stratified, parallel design. SZ patients repeated assessments ~10-12 weeks later.

RESULTS

Patients exhibited deficits in both WIN (p < 0.05, d = 0.50) and SIN (p < 0.01, d = 0.63). A treatment × time interaction on WIN (p < 0.05, d = 0.74), but not SIN discriminability, was seen in the TCT group relative to TAU. Specific enhancements in the 4-dB over background range drove gains in WIN performance. Moreover, SZ patients with greater CAP deficits experienced robust gains in verbal learning after 30-h of TCT relative to SZ patients without CAP impairment (p < 0.01, d = 1.28).

CONCLUSION

Findings demonstrate that intensive auditory training enhances the fidelity of auditory processing and perception, such that specific CAP deficits were 'normalized' and were predictive of gains in verbal learning after TCT. It is conceivable that patients with deficiencies in CAP measures may benefit most from TCT and other interventions targeting auditory dysfunction in SZ.

Effectiveness, Core Elements, and Moderators of Response of Cognitive Remediation for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Importance

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, with negative consequences on functional outcomes. Although cognitive remediation (CR) is effective and mentioned in treatment guidance for schizophrenia, its active ingredients and ideal candidates are still debated.

Objective

To provide a comprehensive update on CR effectiveness for cognition and functioning in schizophrenia and analyze the core ingredients of efficacy and role of patient characteristics.

Data Sources

The reference list of the last comprehensive meta-analysis in 2011 was screened against eligibility criteria. Then, electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo) were systematically searched for articles published from January 2011 to February 2020. Reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews were hand searched, and Google Scholar was manually inspected.

Study Selection

Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials comparing CR with any other control condition in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (with an unrestricted clinical status). Screening was performed by at least 2 independent reviewers.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Study data were independently extracted and pooled using random-effect models. Cohen d was used to measure outcomes. Trial methodological quality was evaluated with the Clinical Trials Assessment Measure.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were changes in global cognition and overall functioning from baseline to after treatment, subsequently investigated through metaregressions, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses based on prespecified hypotheses, to identify potential moderators of response associated with treatment modality and patient characteristics.

Results

Of 1815 identified reports, 358 full texts were assessed and 194 reports on 130 studies were included. Based on 130 studies with 8851 participants, CR was effective on cognition (d, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.24-0.34]) and functioning (d, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.16-0.29]). An active and trained therapist (cognition: χ21, 4.14; P = .04; functioning: χ21, 4.26; P = .04), structured development of cognitive strategies (cognition: χ21, 9.34; P = .002; functioning: χ21, 8.12; P = .004), and integration with psychosocial rehabilitation (cognition: χ21, 5.66; functioning: χ21, 12.08) were crucial ingredients of efficacy. Patients with fewer years of education (global cognition: coefficient, -0.055 [95% CI, -0.103 to -0.006]; P = .03; global functioning: coefficient, -0.061 [95% CI, -0.112 to -0.011]; P = .02), lower premorbid IQ (global functioning: coefficient, -0.013 [-0.025 to -0.001]; P = .04), and higher baseline symptom severity (global cognition: coefficient, 0.006 [95% CI, 0.002 to 0.010]; P = .005) emerged as optimal candidates.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings show that CR is an evidence-based intervention that should be included consistently into clinical guidelines for the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia and implemented more widely in clinical practice.

Initial performance predicts improvements in computerized cognitive training: Evidence from a selective attention task

Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has been found to improve a range of skills such as attention, working memory, inhibition control, and decision making. However, the relationship between the initial performance, amount of improvement, time constant, and asymptotic performance level in CCT is still unclear. In the current study, we performed selective attention training on college students and addressed this issue by mathematically modeling the learning curve with an exponential function. Twenty-nine students completed approximately 10 days of CCT. Presentation time served as the dependent variable and was measured by three-down/one-up adaptive algorithms. We fitted an exponential function to the estimated block thresholds during CCT and obtained three learning parameters (amount of improvement, time constant, and asymptotic performance level) for all subjects. The initial performance was defined by the sum of the amount of improvement and the asymptotic performance level. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted between the initial performance and the three leaning parameters. The initial performance was positively correlated with the amount of improvement and asymptotic performance level, but was negatively correlated with the time constant. The time constant was negatively correlated with the amount of improvement and asymptotic performance level. Poorer initial performance was linked to a larger amount of improvement, shorter time constant, and higher asymptotic threshold, which supported the compensation account. Our results may help improve the present understanding of the nature of the CCT process and demonstrate the advantages of using a customized training protocol to enhance the efficiency of cognitive training in practical applications.

Developing a vocational social rehabilitation model to increase the independence of the instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) among people with severe mental illness

Background: One of the efforts made to return people with severe mental illness to the community is to prepare with sufficient skills so then they can return to a productive life. The purpose of this study was to develop a vocational social rehabilitation model to increase the independence of the instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) among people with severe mental illness.

Design and Methods: The study was conducted in 2 stages. Phase 1 used an observational design with a cross sectional approach. It was conducted at the Menur Mental Hospital from March to July 2020. The population of this study were all people with severe mental illness with a psychotic degree scoring ≥30. The total sample was 100. The data was analyzed using the Partial Least Square. The second phase was carried out by compiling modules from strategic issues and conducting expert consultations.

Results: The results of phase 1 showed that the instrumental ADL independence was directly influenced by perceived behavior, memory phase, motivation phase, skills and intention. Additionally, it is indirectly influenced by socio-demography, mental illness severity, attitude towards behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation and skill. The results of the phase 2 carried out were used to compile modules based on the stages of vocational rehabilitation consisting of determining eligibility, preparatory counseling, implementing rehabilitation, evaluation and ongoing support.

Conclusion: The vocational social rehabilitation model is related to the independence of the Instrumental ADL among people with severe mental illness.

COMT-Val158Met polymorphism modulates antipsychotic effects on auditory verbal hallucinations and temporal lobe gray matter volumes in healthy individuals-symptom relief accompanied by worrisome volume reductions

Investigation of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) in schizophrenics is complicated by psychiatric symptoms. Investigating healthy individuals with AVHs (H-AVHs) can obviate such confounding factors. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of antipsychotic treatment on AVHs and gray matter volumes (GMVs) in H-AVH subjects and whether such are effects are influenced by COMT-Val158Met genotype. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and genotyping studies were completed for 42 H-AVH subjects and 42 well-matched healthy controls (HCs). COMT-Met/Met homozygotes (158th codon) were identified as COMT-Met genotype; COMT-Met/Val heterozygotes and COMT-Val/Val homozygotes were identified as COMT-Val genotype. Data were compared across groups (H-AVH vs. HC, and between genotypes) with two-sample t-tests. The H-AVH COMT-Met group showed a stronger response to antipsychotic treatment than the H-AVH COMT-Val group (p < 0.001). Both H-AVH genotype groups exhibited temporal lobe GMV reductions after treatment, and relative to their respective genotype-matched HC groups. Antipsychotic treatment effects in H-AVH subjects were influenced by COMT-Val158Met genotype and associated with widespread GMV reductions. These findings provide clues for further exploration of treatment targets for AVHs. Treatment associated GMV reductions, however, raise concerns about use of antipsychotics in H-AVH subjects.

The Recovery Process for Individuals With Schizophrenia in the Context of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy and Rehabilitation

Abstract. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), META Cognitive Therapy (MCT), Metacognitive Training (MCTR), Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), of various rehabilitation programs and of recovery programs in schizophrenia. Medline/Pubmed was searched for studies published in English from January 2010 to August 2018, which were screened against inclusion criteria by two reviewers. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated by two independent raters, which are the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool for quantitative studies and the fidelity criteria. The study included 41 RCTs and 12 case studies with n = 3,059 persons with schizophrenia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) proved to be superior in terms of the improvement of primary and secondary outcomes. MCT decreased positive symptoms and improved metacognitive capacity and insight. MCTR reduced positive symptoms and socially disruptive behavior. MERIT improved metacognitive capacity and insight. Rehabilitation programs were efficacious in the improvement of cognition, symptoms, and functional outcome. The recovery programs enhanced illness-management knowledge, attitudes toward medication and insights related to negative symptoms. It is recommended to combine the above evidence based psychotherapeutic interventions. Limitations of this systematic review are discussed toward the end of the essay. Some important factors have to be considered in the future have been mentioned.

Exploring the role of age as a moderator of cognitive remediation for people with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

While Cognitive Remediation (CR) is effective in reducing cognitive and functioning difficulties in people with schizophrenia, there is variability in treatment response. Previous research suggested that participants' age may be a significant moderator of CR response.

AIM

To examine the impact of participants' age on CR outcomes.

METHOD

Individual participant data were accessed from fourteen CR randomised controlled trials. We tested the moderating effect of participants' age on cognitive and functioning outcomes using multivariate linear models.

RESULTS

Data from 1084 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were considered. Participants had a mean age of 36.6 years (SD 11), with 11.6 years of education (SD 2.8), and an average duration of illness of 13.5 years (SD 10.7). Multivariate models showed that participants' age, when considered as a continuous variable, was not a significant moderator of treatment effect for cognitive and functioning outcomes. However, when participants were split by median age, younger participants showed higher gains in executive functions following CR compared to older participants (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that participants' age does not moderate most CR outcomes. However, larger age differences may influence the effect of CR on executive function. This may suggest some adaptation of CR practice according to participants' age. These findings inform the CR personalisation agenda.

Gamma oscillations predict pro-cognitive and clinical response to auditory-based cognitive training in schizophrenia

Cognitive impairments are pervasive and disabling features of schizophrenia. Targeted cognitive training (TCT) is a "bottom-up" cognitive remediation intervention with efficacy for neurocognitive outcomes in schizophrenia, yet individual responses are variable. Gamma oscillatory measures are leading candidate biomarkers in the development of biologically informed pro-cognitive therapeutics. Forty-two schizophrenia patients were recruited from a long-term residential treatment facility. Participants were randomized to receive either 1 h of cognitive training (TCT, n = 21) or computer games (TAU, n = 21). All participants received standard-of-care treatment; the TCT group additionally completed 30 h of cognitive training. The auditory steady-state response paradigm was used to elicit gamma oscillatory power and synchrony during electroencephalogram recordings. Detailed clinical and cognitive assessments were collected at baseline and after completion of the study. Baseline gamma power predicted cognitive gains after a full course of TCT (MCCB, R² = 0.31). A change in gamma power after 1-h TCT exposure predicted improvement in both positive (SAPS, R² = 0.40) and negative (SANS, R² = 0.30) symptoms. These relationships were not observed in the TAU group (MCCB, SAPS, and SANS, all R² < 0.06). The results indicate that the capacity to support gamma oscillations, as well as the plasticity of the underlying ASSR circuitry after acute exposure to 1 h of TCT, reflect neural mechanisms underlying the efficacy of TCT, and may be used to predict individualized treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that gamma oscillatory biomarkers applied within the context of experimental medicine designs can be used to personalize individual treatment options for pro-cognitive interventions in patients with schizophrenia.

Auditory-Based Cognitive Training Drives Short- and Long-Term Plasticity in Cortical Networks in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients have widespread deficits in neurocognitive functioning linked to underlying abnormalities in gamma oscillations that are readily measured by the 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR). Emerging interventions such as auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) improve neurocognitive function in patients. While acute ASSR changes after 1 hour of TCT predict clinical and cognitive gains after a 30-hour course of TCT, the neural substrates of underlying short- and long-term TCT interventions are unknown. To determine the neural substrates underlying TCT-associated ASSR changes, a novel data analysis method was applied to assess the effective connectivity of gamma-band ASSR among estimated cortical sources. In this study, schizophrenia patients (N = 52) were randomized to receive either a treatment as usual (TAU; N = 22) or TAU augmented with TCT (N = 30). EEG recordings were obtained immediately before (T0) and after 1 hour of either computer games (TAU) or cognitive training (TCT; T1), and at 65 ± 15 days (mean ± SD) post-randomization (T2). Results showed increased connectivity from the left ventral middle cingulate gyrus to the left posterior cingulate gyrus, accompanied by decreased connectivity from the left Rolandic operculum (a region that includes auditory cortex) to the right ventral middle cingulate gyrus after 1 hour of TCT. After 30 hours, decreased connectivity from the frontal cortex to a region near the calcarine sulcus were detected. Auditory-based cognitive training drives short- and long-term plasticity in cortical network functioning in schizophrenia patients. These findings may help us understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive training effects in schizophrenia patients and enhance the development of pro-cognitive therapeutics.

Change in the Neural Response to Auditory Deviance Following Cognitive Therapy for Hallucinations in Patients With Schizophrenia

Adjunctive psychotherapeutic approaches recommended for patients with schizophrenia (SZ) who are fully or partially resistant to pharmacotherapy have rarely utilized biomarkers to enhance the understanding of treatment-effective mechanisms. As SZ patients with persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) frequently evidence reduced neural responsiveness to external auditory stimulation, which may impact cognitive and functional outcomes, this study examined the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for voices (CBTv) on clinical and AVH symptoms and the sensory processing of auditory deviants as measured with the electroencephalographically derived mismatch negativity (MMN) response. Twenty-four patients with SZ and AVH were randomly assigned to group CBTv treatment or a treatment as usual (TAU) condition. Patients in the group CBTv condition received treatment for 5 months while the matched control patients received TAU for the same period, followed by 5 months of group CBTv. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of treatment. Although not showing consistent changes in the frequency of AVHs, CBTv (vs. TAU) improved patients' appraisal (p = 0.001) of and behavioral/emotional responses to AVHs, and increased both MMN generation (p = 0.001) and auditory cortex current density (p = 0.002) in response to tone pitch deviants. Improvements in AVH symptoms were correlated with change in pitch deviant MMN and current density in left primary auditory cortex. These findings of improved auditory information processing and symptom-response attributable to CBTv suggest potential clinical and functional benefits of psychotherapeutical approaches for patients with persistent AVHs.

Oscillatory biomarkers of early auditory information processing predict cognitive gains following targeted cognitive training in schizophrenia patients

Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) is an effective and well-validated intervention for the treatment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients. Improvements in higher-order cognition, reductions in symptom severity, and increases in psychosocial functioning secondary to TCT are thought to be driven by "bottom-up" enhancement of early auditory information processing (EAIP). Despite strong evidence of efficacy at the group level, there is significant variability in response to TCT, with few well-delineated biomarkers for predicting individual benefit. EEG biomarkers of EAIP are indicators of early-treatment sensitivity that predict full-course TCT outcome; however, further characterization is necessary for biomarker-guided clinical trials. The current study examined baseline and early-treatment sensitivity (i.e., change from baseline after 1 h) in theta band oscillatory activity to deviant stimuli as moderators of full course (30 h) TCT response in treatment-refractory schizophrenia patients randomly assigned to receive either treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 22) or TAU augmented with TCT (n = 30). Theta evoked power and phase locking at baseline predicted patient improvements in global cognitive function after 30 h of TCT. Decrease in theta activity to deviant stimuli after 1 h of TCT predicted improvements in verbal learning after 30 h. Exploratory analyses using EEG composite scores had high levels of sensitivity and specificity for identifying patients most likely to benefit from TCT. The integrity of baseline neurophysiologic activity associated with EAIP, as well as the sensitivity of the underlying circuity to change, likely reflects an intermediate therapeutic process underlying the effectiveness of TCT that can be used to predict patient response to treatment.

Deficits in Auditory and Visual Sensory Discrimination Reflect a Genetic Liability for Psychosis and Predict Disruptions in Global Cognitive Functioning

Sensory discrimination thresholds (i.e., the briefest stimulus that can be accurately perceived) can be measured using tablet-based auditory and visual sweep paradigms. These basic sensory functions have been found to be diminished in patients with psychosis. However, the extent to which worse sensory discrimination characterizes genetic liability for psychosis, and whether it is related to clinical symptomatology and community functioning remains unknown. In the current study we compared patients with psychosis (PSY; N=76), their first-degree biological relatives (REL; N=44), and groups of healthy controls (CON; N=13 auditory and visual/N=275 auditory/N=267 visual) on measures of auditory and visual sensory discrimination, and examined relationships with a battery of symptom, cognitive, and functioning measures. Sound sweep thresholds differed among the PSY, REL, and CON groups, driven by higher thresholds in the PSY compared to CON group, with the REL group showing intermediate thresholds. Visual thresholds also differed among the three groups, driven by higher thresholds in the REL versus CON group, and no significant differences between the REL and PSY groups. Across groups and among patients, higher thresholds (poorer discrimination) for both sound and visual sweeps strongly correlated with lower global cognitive scores. We conclude that low-level auditory and visual sensory discrimination deficits in psychosis may reflect genetic liability for psychotic illness. Critically, these deficits relate to global cognitive disruptions that are a hallmark of psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Grant Report on d-Serine Augmentation of Neuroplasticity-Based Auditory Learning in Schizophrenia †

We report on the rationale and design of an ongoing NIMH sponsored R61-R33 project in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. This project studies augmenting the efficacy of auditory neuroplasticity cognitive remediation (AudRem) with d-serine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) glycine-site agonist. We operationalize improved (smaller) thresholds in pitch (frequency) between successive auditory stimuli after AudRem as improved plasticity, and mismatch negativity (MMN) and auditory θ as measures of functional target engagement of both NMDAR agonism and plasticity. Previous studies showed that AudRem alone produces significant, but small cognitive improvements, while d-serine alone improves symptoms and MMN. However, the strongest results for plasticity outcomes (improved pitch thresholds, auditory MMN and θ) were found when combining d-serine and AudRem. AudRem improvements correlated with reading and other auditory cognitive tasks, suggesting plasticity improvements are predictive of functionally relevant outcomes. While d-serine appears to be efficacious for acute AudRem enhancement, the optimal dose remains an open question, as does the ability of combined d-serine + AudRem to produce sustained improvement. In the ongoing R61, 45 schizophrenia patients will be randomized to receive three placebo-controlled, double-blind d-serine + AudRem sessions across three separate 15 subject dose cohorts (80/100/120 mg/kg). Successful completion of the R61 is defined by ≥moderate effect size changes in target engagement and correlation with function, without safety issues. During the three-year R33, we will assess the sustained effects of d-serine + AudRem. In addition to testing a potentially viable treatment, this project will develop a methodology to assess the efficacy of novel NMDAR modulators, using d-serine as a "gold-standard".

Genome-wide Association of Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia From the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS) Study

IMPORTANCE

The Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS) uses quantitative neurophysiological and neurocognitive endophenotypes with demonstrated deficits in schizophrenia as a platform from which to explore the underlying neural circuitry and genetic architecture. Many of these endophenotypes are associated with poor functional outcome in schizophrenia. Some are also endorsed as potential treatment targets by the US Food and Drug Administration.

OBJECTIVE

To build on prior assessments of heritability, association, and linkage in the COGS phase 1 (COGS-1) families by reporting a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 11 schizophrenia-related endophenotypes in the independent phase 2 (COGS-2) cohort of patients with schizophrenia and healthy comparison participants (HCPs).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1789 patients with schizophrenia and HCPs of self-reported European or Latino ancestry were recruited through a collaborative effort across the COGS sites and genotyped using the PsychChip. Standard quality control filters were applied, and more than 6.2 million variants with a genotyping call rate of greater than 0.99 were available after imputation. Association was performed for data sets stratified by diagnosis and ancestry using linear regression and adjusting for age, sex, and 5 principal components, with results combined through weighted meta-analysis. Data for COGS-1 were collected from January 6, 2003, to August 6, 2008; data for COGS-2, from June 30, 2010, to February 14, 2014. Data were analyzed from October 28, 2016, to May 4, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

A genome-wide association study was performed to evaluate association for 11 neurophysiological and neurocognitive endophenotypes targeting key domains of schizophrenia related to inhibition, attention, vigilance, learning, working memory, executive function, episodic memory, and social cognition.

RESULTS

The final sample of 1533 participants included 861 male participants (56.2%), and the mean (SD) age was 41.8 (13.6) years. In total, 7 genome-wide significant regions (P < 5 × 10-8) and 2 nearly significant regions (P < 9 × 10-8) containing several genes of interest, including NRG3 and HCN1, were identified for 7 endophenotypes. For each of the 11 endophenotypes, enrichment analyses performed at the level of P < 10-4 compared favorably with previous association results in the COGS-1 families and showed extensive overlap with regions identified for schizophrenia diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These analyses identified several genomic regions of interest that require further exploration and validation. These data seem to demonstrate the utility of endophenotypes for resolving the genetic architecture of schizophrenia and characterizing the underlying biological dysfunctions. Understanding the molecular basis of these endophenotypes may help to identify novel treatment targets and pave the way for precision-based medicine in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

A systematic review of moderators of cognitive remediation response for people with schizophrenia

Background

There is evidence that cognitive remediation (CR) is moderately effective in improving cognitive and functional difficulties in people with schizophrenia. However, there is still a limited understanding of what influence different treatment responses.

Aim

To identify moderators influencing CR response in people with schizophrenia.

Methods

This systematic review follows PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted up to January 2019 on PubMed and PsychInfo to identify randomized controlled trials of CR reporting analyses of moderators of treatment response. All papers were assessed for methodological quality and information on sample size, intervention and control condition, moderators, outcomes, effect of moderator on outcomes and demographic characteristics from each study was extracted and critically summarised.

Results

Thirty-six studies were included, considering 2737 participants. Study participants consisted on average of people in their late-thirties, mostly men, with over 10 years of illness. The review identified moderators that could be grouped into five categories: demographics, biological, cognitive and functional, psychological, and illness-related characteristics. The assessment of methodological quality showed that many studies had a high risk of bias.

Conclusions

There was no high-quality replicated evidence which identifies reliable moderators of CR response. Many moderators were not replicated or presented in single, underpowered studies. Studies also investigated moderators independently despite their potential to overlap (e.g. age and education). Future research should concentrate on evaluating, with sound studies, the role moderators may play in affecting CR treatment response. This information can inform who will benefit most from the therapy and help to improve the benefits of CR.

Comparative psychopharmacology of autism and psychotic-affective disorders suggests new targets for treatment

The first treatments showing effectiveness for some psychiatric disorders, such as lithium for bipolar disorder and chlorpromazine for schizophrenia, were discovered by accident. Currently, psychiatric drug design is seen as a scientific enterprise, limited though it remains by the complexity of brain development and function. Relatively few novel and effective drugs have, however, been developed for many years. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how evolutionary biology can provide a useful framework for psychiatric drug development. The framework is based on a diametrical nature of autism, compared with psychotic-affective disorders (mainly schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression). This paradigm follows from two inferences: (i) risks and phenotypes of human psychiatric disorders derive from phenotypes that have evolved along the human lineage and (ii) biological variation is bidirectional (e.g. higher vs lower, faster vs slower, etc.), such that dysregulation of psychological traits varies in two opposite ways. In this context, the author review the evidence salient to the hypothesis that autism and psychotic-affective disorders represent diametrical disorders in terms of current, proposed and potential psychopharmacological treatments. Studies of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the PI3K pathway, the NMDA receptor, kynurenic acid metabolism, agmatine metabolism, levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and other treatments, demonstrate evidence of diametric effects in autism spectrum disorders and phenotypes compared with psychotic-affective disorders and phenotypes. These findings yield insights into treatment mechanisms and the development of new pharmacological therapies, as well as providing an explanation for the longstanding puzzle of antagonism between epilepsy and psychosis. Lay Summary: Consideration of autism and schizophrenia as caused by opposite alterations to brain development and function leads to novel suggestions for pharmacological treatments.

Divergence of subjective and performance-based cognitive gains following cognitive training in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Cognitive training is effective for improving cognitive performance among people with schizophrenia. An individual's perception of their own cognition is dissociable from performance on objective cognitive tests. Since subjective cognitive benefit may impact engagement, motivation, and satisfaction with time-intensive cognitive interventions, this study aimed to determine whether subjective cognitive difficulties improve in conjunction with cognitive gains following 30 h of cognitive training.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 46) were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU augmented with auditory-targeted cognitive training (TCT). All participants completed assessment batteries at baseline and follow-up. As previously reported, the TCT group showed significant improvements in verbal learning and memory and reductions in auditory hallucinations relative to the TAU group.

RESULTS

Subjective cognitive difficulties did not significantly improve following TCT, even among TCT participants who showed improvements in cognitive performance (all ps > 0.05). Subjective cognitive difficulties were significantly associated with severity of depressive symptoms and hallucinations (r = 0.48 and r = 0.28, p < 0.001), but not global or specific domains of cognition (all rs < 0.1) at baseline. There were no significant relationships between change in subjective cognitive difficulties and change in cognitive or clinical variables (all ps > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Patients with schizophrenia do not detect change in their cognition following cognitive training, even among those who showed robust gains in cognitive performance. Failure to detect improvement may undermine treatment engagement, motivation, and satisfaction. Translating score improvements on the cognitive exercises into tangible metrics, and providing ongoing, clinician-delivered feedback on performance may facilitate patient ability to detect improvements and improve motivation to engage with cognitive training interventions.

Mismatch negativity reveals plasticity in cortical dynamics after 1-hour of auditory training exercises

BACKGROUND

Impaired sensory processing contributes to deficits in cognitive and psychosocial functioning in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ). Mismatch Negativity (MMN), an event-related potential (ERP) index of sensory discrimination associated with cognitive and psychosocial functioning, is a candidate biomarker of auditory discrimination and thus possibly of changes following auditory-based Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT). Here we evaluated the acute effect of TCT on cortical processes supporting auditory discrimination.

METHODS

MMN was assessed in 28 SZ outpatients before and after a single 1-hour (hr) session of "Sound Sweeps," a pitch discrimination task that is a component of the TCT suite of exercises. Independent component (IC) analysis was applied to decompose 64-channel scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) activity into spatiotemporally stationary sources and their activities. ICs from all patients were pooled to find commonalities in their cortical locations. IC cluster-mean ERPs were evaluated to determine the clusters contributing to the (140-200 ms) MMN difference between responses to deviant and standard tone stimuli respectively.

RESULTS

Two frontal IC clusters centered in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) accounted for >77% of MMN variance across all scalp channels. After 1-hr auditory training, significant suppression of ACC cluster contributions was detected, whereas the OFC cluster contribution was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior to TCT, the MMN response was dominated by EEG effective sources in or near OFC and ACC. However, after 1-hr of auditory-based TCT, a significant attenuation of ACC was observed, whereas OFC contribution to MMN persisted. The present findings support further trials designed to test whether training-related MMN plasticity in the ACC after 1-hr may predict individual patient response to a full course of TCT.

Verbal learning deficits associated with increased anticholinergic burden are attenuated with targeted cognitive training in treatment refractory schizophrenia patients

Targeted cognitive training (TCT) has been reported to improve verbal learning deficits in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Despite positive findings, it is not clear whether demographic factors and clinical characteristics contribute to the success of TCT on an individual basis. Medication-associated anticholinergic burden has been shown to impact TCT-associated verbal learning gains in SZ outpatients, but the role of anticholinergic medication burden on TCT gains in treatment refractory SZ patients has not been described. In this study, SZ patients mandated to a locked residential rehabilitation center were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n=22) or a course of TAU augmented with TCT (n=24). Anticholinergic medication burden was calculated from medication data at baseline and follow-up using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) Scale. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery Verbal Learning domain scores were used as the primary outcome variable. The TAU and TCT groups were matched in ACB at baseline and follow-up. While baseline ACB was not associated with verbal learning in either group, increases in ACB over the course of the study were significantly associated with deterioration of verbal learning in the TAU group (r=-0.51, p=0.02). This was not seen in subjects randomized to TCT (r=-0.13, p=0.62). Our results suggest that TCT may blunt anticholinergic medication burden associated reduction in verbal learning in severely disabled SZ inpatients.

Sensory-targeted cognitive training for schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

Auditory and visual dysfunctions are key pathophysiological features of schizophrenia (Sz). Therefore, remedial interventions that directly target such impairments could potentially drive gains in higher-order cognition (e.g., memory, executive functions, emotion processing), symptoms and functional outcome, in addition to improving sensory abilities in this population. Here, we reviewed available sensory-targeted cognitive training (S-TCT) programs that were investigated so far in Sz patients. Area covered: A systematic review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-seven relevant records were included. The superiority of S-TCT over control conditions on higher-order cognition measures was repeatedly demonstrated, but mostly lost significance at later endpoints of evaluation. Clinical symptoms and functional outcome were improved in a minority of studies. S-TCT interventions were associated with the relative normalization of several neurobiological biomarkers of neuroplasticity and sensory mechanisms. Expert commentary: S-TCT, although time-intensive, is a cost-efficient, safe and promising technique for Sz treatment. Its efficacy on higher-order cognition opens a critical window for clinical and functional improvement. The biological impact of S-TCT may allow for the identification of therapeutic biomarkers to further precision-medicine. Additional research is required to investigate the long-term effects of S-TCT, optimal training parameters and potential confounding factors associated with the illness.

Neurophysiologic measures of target engagement predict response to auditory-based cognitive training in treatment refractory schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and a strong predictor of psychosocial disability. Auditory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) aims to enhance verbal learning and other domains of cognitive functioning through "bottom-up" tuning of the neural systems underlying early auditory information processing (EAIP). Although TCT has demonstrated efficacy at the group level, individual response to TCT varies considerably, with nearly half of patients showing little-to-no benefit. EEG measures of EAIP, mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a, are sensitive to the neural systems engaged by TCT exercises and might therefore predict clinical outcomes after a full course of treatment. This study aimed to determine whether initial malleability of MMN and P3a to 1-h of auditory-based TCT predicts improvements in verbal learning and clinical symptom reduction following a full (30-h) course of TCT. Treatment refractory patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 22) or TAU augmented with TCT (n = 23). Results indicated that malleability (i.e., change from baseline after the initial 1-h dose of TCT) of MMN and P3a predicted improvements in verbal learning as well as decreases in the severity of positive symptoms. Examination of MMN and P3a malleability in patients after their first dose of TCT can be used to predict clinical response to a full course of treatment and shows promise for future biomarker-informed treatment assignment.