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Giordano GM, Pezzella P, Mucci A, Austin SF, Erfurth A, Glenthøj B, Hofer A, Hubenak J, Libiger J, Melle I, Nielsen MØ, Rybakowski JK, Wojciak P, Galderisi S, Sachs G. Negative symptoms and social cognition as mediators of the relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1333711. [PMID: 38356912 PMCID: PMC10864497 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1333711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In this study we assessed the contribution of psychopathology, including the two domains of negative symptoms (motivational deficit and expressive deficit), processing speed as an index of neurocognition, and emotion recognition, as an index of social cognition, to poor functional outcomes in people with schizophrenia. Methods The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to evaluate positive symptoms and disorganization and the Brief Negative Symptom Scale to assess negative symptoms. The Symbol Coding and the Trail Making Test A and B were used to rate processing speed and the Facial Emotion Identification Test to assess emotion recognition. Functional outcome was assessed with the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP). Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of functional outcome. Mediation analyses was used to investigate whether social cognition and negative symptom domains fully or partially mediated the impact of processing speed on functional outcome. Results One hundred and fifty subjects from 8 different European centers were recruited. Our data showed that the expressive deficit predicted global functioning and together with motivational deficit fully mediated the effects of neurocognition on it. Motivational deficit was a predictor of personal and social functioning and fully mediated neurocognitive impairment effects on the same outcome. Both motivational deficit and neurocognitive impairment predicted socially useful activities, and the emotion recognition domain of social cognition partially mediated the impact of neurocognitive deficits on this outcome. Conclusions Our results indicate that pathways to functional outcomes are specific for different domains of real-life functioning and that negative symptoms and social cognition mediate the impact of neurocognitive deficits on different domains of functioning. Our results suggest that both negative symptoms and social cognition should be targeted by psychosocial interventions to enhance the functional impact of neurocognitive remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia M. Giordano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pezzella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Armida Mucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Stephen F. Austin
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand Psychiatry, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Andreas Erfurth
- 6th Psychiatric Department, Otto-Wagner-Spital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birte Glenthøj
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alex Hofer
- Medical University Innsbruck, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Division of Psychiatry I, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jan Hubenak
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jan Libiger
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Ingrid Melle
- NORMENT Centre, Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Ø. Nielsen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janusz K. Rybakowski
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Pawel Wojciak
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sachs
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Folesani F, Belvederi Murri M, Biancosino B, Costa S, Zerbinati L, Caruso R, Nanni MG, Toffanin T, Ferrara M, Purdon SE, Grassi L. The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry in patients with borderline personality disorder. Personal Ment Health 2022; 16:279-289. [PMID: 35146968 PMCID: PMC9788074 DOI: 10.1002/pmh.1539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are common in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and appear to be associated with psychopathology, functioning and outcome. The availability of a cognitive screening instrument could be of use in clinical settings in order to assess neurocognition in BPD patients. The Screen for Cognitive Impairment for Psychiatry (SCIP) proved to be reliable in different psychiatric populations, but it has not yet been validated in personality disorders. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of 58 BPD patients. The SCIP was validated against the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and B). The receiver operator curve analysis displayed an acceptable convergent validity (total score AUC: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70-0.86; Se: 75%, Sp: 72%). A cut-off total score of 80 identified 81% of patients as cognitively impaired. The exploratory factor analysis displayed a one-factor solution explaining 55.8% of the total variance. The SCIP displayed adequate psychometric properties in BPD and could be integrated in the routine clinical assessment to provide a preliminary evaluation of cognitive features for BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Folesani
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martino Belvederi Murri
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Bruno Biancosino
- Department of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders, Health Trust Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Costa
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luigi Zerbinati
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rosangela Caruso
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Nanni
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tommaso Toffanin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Ferrara
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Scot E Purdon
- Alberta Hospital Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luigi Grassi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Sachs G, Bannick G, Maihofer EIJ, Voracek M, Purdon SE, Erfurth A. Dimensionality analysis of the German version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-G). Schizophr Res Cogn 2022; 29:100259. [PMID: 35692619 PMCID: PMC9178470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia, are characterised by cognitive impairment. The rapid detection of cognitive dysfunction - also in the course of the disease - is of great importance. The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) was developed to provide screening of psychiatric patients in clinical practice and is available in several languages. Prior psychometric investigations into the dimensionality of the SCIP have produced two different models: a one-factor model assumes that the five subscales of the SCIP load together, whereas an alternative model suggests that the subscales load on two factors, namely verbal memory and processing speed. We carried out a confirmatory factor analysis of the German version of the SCIP (SCIP-G). Methods 323 patients with psychotic, bipolar affective, and depressive disorders were studied. Results The one-factor approach did not yield an acceptable model fit (chi-squared test: χ2 = 109.5, df = 5, p < 0.001, χ2/df = 21.9). A two-factor solution, with the subtests Verbal Learning Test-Immediate Recall, Delayed Recall Test of the VLT, and Working Memory Test loading on the first factor, whereas the subtests Verbal Fluency Test and Psychomotor Speed Test loading on the second factor, obtained a good model fit (χ2 = 6.7, df = 3, p = 0.08, χ2/df = 2.2). Conclusions These data show that a good model fit can be achieved with a two-factor solution for the SCIP. This study is the first to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis using the German SCIP version and to test its dimensional structure using a hypothesis-testing approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria Bannick
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Klinik Hietzing, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva I J Maihofer
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Klinik Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Scot E Purdon
- Alberta Hospital Edmonton Neuropsychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andreas Erfurth
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Klinik Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
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Schniedermann I, Dehn LB, Micheel S, Beblo T, Driessen M. Evaluation of a supported education and employment program for adolescents and young adults with mental health problems: A study protocol of the StAB project. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271803. [PMID: 35905081 PMCID: PMC9337640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of mental illnesses begins in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood before the age of 25. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a particularly vulnerable time for adolescents with mental illness, affecting psychosocial functioning and participation in work life. Therefore, they need—in contrast to classic standard vocational interventions—a long-term, holistic and individually oriented vocational rehabilitation program. With the innovative model project "Start in education and employment (StAB)”, adolescents and young adults with mental illnesses are to be supported with regard to their vocational perspectives and participation by a new type of individualized, holistic, long-term job coaching. It follows the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) concept, as a manualized form of the Supported Employment Approach and is based on the "first place–then train" principle. In order to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the StAB program, a double-centre prospective single arm evaluation study in a mixed-methods design will be conducted. The focus is on quantitative research analysing pre-post-effects of the StAB intervention in a two-year observational study. Young people between 15 and 25 years with a psychiatric diagnosis who are currently in receipt of means-tested benefits or are entitled to them will be recruited. The study will take place in two major cities in the north-western part of Germany, Bielefeld and Dortmund. We expect to contribute to gain more empirical data about the implementation of Supported Employment and Education to severely mentally ill adolescents and young adults in German settings. Moreover, these results may also provide the scientific foundation for future measures focusing the improvement of vocational rehabilitation for young people with mental illness. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027576) on March 10, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Schniedermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lorenz B. Dehn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Sabrina Micheel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Beblo
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Martin Driessen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Vita A, Gaebel W, Mucci A, Sachs G, Erfurth A, Barlati S, Zanca F, Giordano GM, Birkedal Glenthøj L, Nordentoft M, Galderisi S. European Psychiatric Association guidance on assessment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Eur Psychiatry 2022; 65:e58. [PMID: 36059109 PMCID: PMC9532219 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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.
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Furtner J, Schöpf V, Erfurth A, Sachs G. An fMRI study of cognitive remediation in drug-naïve subjects diagnosed with first episode schizophrenia. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 134:249-254. [PMID: 34255168 PMCID: PMC8921014 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01910-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective The purpose of our functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to examine brain activity using a “1-back” paradigm as working memory task in drug-naïve subjects with first episode schizophrenia before and after cognitive remediation training. Methods In this study 15 drug-naïve first episode subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were randomized to receive either atypical antipsychotics (AP, n = 8) or atypical antipsychotics in combination with cognitive remediation therapy (AP + CR, n = 7), 11 subjects had a follow-up fMRI examination after therapy (AP, n = 5; AP + CR, n = 6). Results In 4 of the 6 AP + CR subjects the number of activation clusters increased, whereas in 4 out of the 5 AP subjects the number of clusters decreased (mean number of clusters: AP + CR = 5.53, SD 12.79, AP = −5.8, SD 6.9). Conclusion In this randomized study the number of activation clusters during a working memory task increased after cognitive remediation training. Our data show that neurobiological effects of cognitive remediation can be identified in the very early course of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Furtner
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Schöpf
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Erfurth
- 1st Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Klinik Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabriele Sachs
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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