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Lemvigh CK, Brouwer RM, Pantelis C, Jensen MH, Hilker RW, Legind CS, Anhøj SJ, Robbins TW, Sahakian BJ, Glenthøj BY, Fagerlund B. Heritability of specific cognitive functions and associations with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using CANTAB: a nation-wide twin study. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1101-1114. [PMID: 32779562 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720002858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many cognitive functions are under strong genetic control and twin studies have demonstrated genetic overlap between some aspects of cognition and schizophrenia. How the genetic relationship between specific cognitive functions and schizophrenia is influenced by IQ is currently unknown. METHODS We applied selected tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to examine the heritability of specific cognitive functions and associations with schizophrenia liability. Verbal and performance IQ were estimated using The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III and the Danish Adult Reading Test. In total, 214 twins including monozygotic (MZ = 32) and dizygotic (DZ = 22) pairs concordant or discordant for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and healthy control pairs (MZ = 29, DZ = 20) were recruited through the Danish national registers. Additionally, eight twins from affected pairs participated without their sibling. RESULTS Significant heritability was observed for planning/spatial span (h2 = 25%), self-ordered spatial working memory (h2 = 64%), sustained attention (h2 = 56%), and movement time (h2 = 47%), whereas only unique environmental factors contributed to set-shifting, reflection impulsivity, and thinking time. Schizophrenia liability was associated with planning/spatial span (rph = -0.34), self-ordered spatial working memory (rph = -0.24), sustained attention (rph = -0.23), and set-shifting (rph = -0.21). The association with planning/spatial span was not driven by either performance or verbal IQ. The remaining associations were shared with performance, but not verbal IQ. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence that some cognitive functions are heritable and associated with schizophrenia, suggesting a partially shared genetic etiology. These functions may constitute endophenotypes for the disorder and provide a basis to explore genes common to cognition and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie K Lemvigh
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rachel M Brouwer
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria H Jensen
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark
| | - Rikke W Hilker
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian S Legind
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Mental Health Center North Zealand, Hilleroed, Denmark
| | - Simon J Anhøj
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry Svendborg, Baagoes Alle 25, 5700 Svendborg, Denmark
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Birte Y Glenthøj
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Fagerlund
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Santamarina-Perez P, Mendez I, Eiroa-Orosa FJ, Singh MK, Gorelik A, Picado M, Font E, Moreno E, Martínez E, Morer A, Cordovilla C, Romero S. Visual memory improvement in adolescents at high risk for suicide who are receiving psychotherapy at a community clinic. Psychiatry Res 2021; 298:113796. [PMID: 33609921 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The current study aims to: 1) investigate cognitive differences among adolescents at risk for suicide versus healthy controls (HC) and 2) identify cognitive changes associated with response to psychotherapy among adolescents at high risk for suicide. Thirty-five adolescents at high risk for suicide (HR), and 14 HC adolescents were recruited. Clinical and cognitive assessments were conducted in both groups at baseline and 16 weeks later (after the patients completed psychotherapy). HR and HC adolescents were compared at baseline and at completion of the study. We also conducted further analysis by separating into two groups the HR adolescents who responded to psychotherapy (n=17) and those who did not (n=11). At baseline, the HR group had significantly lower performance on verbal memory and processing speed than the HC group. At week 16, HR adolescents performed as well as HC adolescents in all cognitive domains. Among patients, better performance on visual memory was observed in those who responded to psychotherapy compared to those who did not. We concluded that lower performance on verbal memory and processing speed may be associated with a high risk for suicide among adolescents. Improvement in visual memory might be related to a lower risk for suicide in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Santamarina-Perez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Iria Mendez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa
- Section of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manpreet K Singh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Aaron Gorelik
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Marisol Picado
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Font
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Moreno
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteve Martínez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Astrid Morer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain; Institute d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Cordovilla
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Romero
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2017SGR88, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Spain; Institute d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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Frane AV. Misguided Opposition to Multiplicity Adjustment Remains a Problem. JOURNAL OF MODERN APPLIED STATISTICAL METHODS 2020. [DOI: 10.22237/jmasm/1556669400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Fallacious arguments against multiplicity adjustment have been cited with increasing frequency to defend unadjusted tests. These arguments and their enduring impact are discussed in this paper.
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Andersen R, Fagerlund B, Rasmussen H, Ebdrup B, Aggernaes B, Gade A, Oranje B, Glenthoj B. The influence of impaired processing speed on cognition in first-episode antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenic patients. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 28:332-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractBackground:Impaired cognition is a prominent feature of schizophrenia. To what extent the heterogeneous cognitive impairments can be accounted for by considering only a single underlying impairment or a small number of core impairments remains elusive. This study examined whether cognitive impairments in antipsychotic-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia patients may be determined by a relative slower speed of information processing.Method:Forty-eight antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 48 matched healthy controls were administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests to assess domains of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. Composite scores were calculated, grouping tests into cognitive domains.Results:There were significant differences between patients and healthy controls on global cognition and all cognitive domains, including verbal intelligence, processing speed, sustained attention, working memory, reasoning and problem solving, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, and reaction time. All these significant differences, except for verbal intelligence and global cognition, disappeared when processing speed was included as a covariate.Conclusion:At the first stage of illness, antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia display moderate/severe impairments in all the cognitive domains assessed. The results support the contention of a global cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia that to some extent may be determined by impaired processing speed.
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Zouraraki C, Karamaouna P, Karagiannopoulou L, Giakoumaki SG. Schizotypy-Independent and Schizotypy-Modulated Cognitive Impairments in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Schizophrenia-spectrum Patients. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:1010-1025. [PMID: 28383650 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to compare the neurocognitive profile of unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients with control individuals, controlling for different schizotypal traits. Method One hundred and fifteen adult unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia-spectrum patients and 122 controls were tested for schizotypy with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. They also underwent a thorough neurocognitive assessment with a range of tasks covering several aspects of executive functioning. Between-group differences in cognition were examined first with multivariate analysis of variance and then with a series of multivariate analyses of covariance, including the schizotypal dimensions as covariates. Results The relatives had higher scores on all schizotypal dimensions compared with controls and poorer planning, problem solving, strategy formation and working memory, irrespective of schizotypal traits. They also scored lower in executive working memory and verbal fluency. The difference in executive working memory was sensitive to the effects of paranoid and negative schizotypy (both dimensions abolished the between-group difference) whereas the difference in verbal fluency was sensitive only to the effects of paranoid schizotypy. Neither cognitive-perceptual nor disorganized schizotypy accounted for any differences in neurocognition between relatives and the controls. Conclusions Impairments in planning, problem solving, strategy formation and working memory are "core" impairments in the schizophrenia-spectrum, possibly due to high heritability effects in these functions. Impairments in executive working memory and verbal fluency are associated with paranoid and negative schizotypy, possibly due to alterations in a common fronto-temporo-parietal neural network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Zouraraki
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
| | - Penny Karamaouna
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
| | - Leda Karagiannopoulou
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
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Sugranyes G, de la Serna E, Borras R, Sanchez-Gistau V, Pariente JC, Romero S, Baeza I, Díaz-Caneja CM, Rodriguez-Toscano E, Moreno C, Bernardo M, Moreno D, Vieta E, Castro-Fornieles J. Clinical, Cognitive, and Neuroimaging Evidence of a Neurodevelopmental Continuum in Offspring of Probands With Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Schizophr Bull 2017; 43:1208-1219. [PMID: 28180904 PMCID: PMC5737486 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in child and adolescent offspring of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders may help understand the influence of neurodevelopmental factors on the premorbid phenotype of these disorders. AIMS To assess whether a combination of neurodevelopmental factors discriminates between young offspring of patients with schizophrenia (SzO) or bipolar disorder (BpO) and community controls (CcO). To assess the association between these factors and rates of psychiatric diagnoses in high risk (HR) youth. METHODS One hundred thirty-three HR offspring (47 SzO and 86 BpO) and 84 CcO, aged 6-17, underwent cross-sectional clinical, neurocognitive, and structural neuroimaging assessment. Information on perinatal events and early childhood development was also obtained. General linear mixed models were performed to assess group discrimination and association with lifetime axis I psychiatric disorders. RESULTS Multivariate analyses revealed that greater neurological soft signs (NSS), less total grey matter volume (GMV) and a higher frequency of obstetric complications discriminated HR offspring from CcO. When comparing each group individually, greater NSS and a higher frequency of obstetric complications discriminated SzO from CcO, and BpO from CcO, while lower intelligence also discriminated SzO from CcO and from BpO. Within HR offspring, lower intelligence and less total GMV were associated with lifetime incidence of psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS Both SzO and BpO showed evidence of neurodevelopmental insult, although this may have a greater impact in SzO. Lower intelligence and less total GMV hold potential as biomarkers of risk for psychiatric disorders in HR youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Sugranyes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain,Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, c. Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; tel: +34-93-227-9974/9970, fax: +34-93-227-9974, e-mail:
| | - Elena de la Serna
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roger Borras
- Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanessa Sanchez-Gistau
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Early Intervention Team, Pere Mata Institute of Reus, Health Research Institute Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain
| | - Jose C Pariente
- Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Romero
- Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Baeza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain,Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Covadonga M Díaz-Caneja
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Rodriguez-Toscano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Moreno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Bernardo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores Moreno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Castro-Fornieles
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 2014SGR489, Institut Clinic de Neurociències, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain,Institut d′Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain,Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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O'Hanlon E, Howley S, Prasad S, McGrath J, Leemans A, McDonald C, Garavan H, Murphy KC. Multimodal MRI reveals structural connectivity differences in 22q11 deletion syndrome related to impaired spatial working memory. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 37:4689-4705. [PMID: 27511297 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Impaired spatial working memory is a core cognitive deficit observed in people with 22q11 Deletion syndrome (22q11DS) and has been suggested as a candidate endophenotype for schizophrenia. However, to date, the neuroanatomical mechanisms describing its structural and functional underpinnings in 22q11DS remain unclear. We quantitatively investigate the cognitive processes and associated neuroanatomy of spatial working memory in people with 22q11DS compared to matched controls. We examine whether there are significant between-group differences in spatial working memory using task related fMRI, Voxel based morphometry and white matter fiber tractography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging employing functional, diffusion and volumetric techniques were used to quantitatively assess the cognitive and neuroanatomical features of spatial working memory processes in 22q11DS. Twenty-six participants with genetically confirmed 22q11DS aged between 9 and 52 years and 26 controls aged between 8 and 46 years, matched for age, gender, and handedness were recruited. RESULTS People with 22q11DS have significant differences in spatial working memory functioning accompanied by a gray matter volume reduction in the right precuneus. Gray matter volume was significantly correlated with task performance scores in these areas. Tractography revealed extensive differences along fibers between task-related cortical activations with pronounced differences localized to interhemispheric commissural fibers within the parietal section of the corpus callosum. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal spatial working memory in 22q11DS is associated with aberrant functional activity in conjunction with gray and white matter structural abnormalities. These anomalies in discrete brain regions may increase susceptibility to the development of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4689-4705, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik O'Hanlon
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Educational and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.,School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Sarah Howley
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Educational and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Sarah Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Educational and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Jane McGrath
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Colm McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Hugh Garavan
- School of Psychology and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Vermont, USA
| | - Kieran C Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Educational and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Mukkala S, Ilonen T, Koskela J, Nordström T, Loukkola J, Miettunen J, Barnett JH, Murray GK, Jones PB, Heinimaa M, Jääskeläinen E, Mäki P, Moilanen I, Veijola J. Response initiation in young adults at risk for psychosis in the Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2014; 19:226-40. [PMID: 24131203 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2013.840569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This is one of the very few studies to investigate the specific executive function/processing speed component of response initiation in subjects at familial risk (FR) for psychosis, and the first such study in subjects at clinical risk (CR) for psychosis. METHODS Participants (N = 177) were members of the general population-based Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort in the following four groups: FR for psychosis (n = 62), CR for psychosis (n = 21), psychosis (n = 25) and control subjects (n = 69). The response initiation of these groups was compared in three different tests: Semantic fluency, Stockings of Cambridge and Spatial working memory. RESULTS The two risk groups did not differ significantly from control group, but differed from, and outperformed the psychosis group in semantic fluency response initiation. CONCLUSIONS Response initiation deficits were not evident in a non-help seeking psychosis high-risk sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mukkala
- a Department of Psychiatry , Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
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Welch KA, Stanfield AC, McIntosh AM, Whalley HC, Job DE, Moorhead TW, Owens DGC, Lawrie SM, Johnstone EC. Impact of cannabis use on thalamic volume in people at familial high risk of schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 2011; 199:386-90. [PMID: 21903664 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.090175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No longitudinal study has yet examined the association between substance use and brain volume changes in a population at high risk of schizophrenia. AIMS To examine the effects of cannabis on longitudinal thalamus and amygdala-hippocampal complex volumes within a population at high risk of schizophrenia. METHOD Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from individuals at high genetic risk of schizophrenia at the point of entry to the Edinburgh High-Risk Study (EHRS) and approximately 2 years later. Differential thalamic and amygdala-hippocampal complex volume change in high-risk individuals exposed (n = 25) and not exposed (n = 32) to cannabis in the intervening period was investigated using repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS Cannabis exposure was associated with bilateral thalamic volume loss. This effect was significant on the left (F = 4.47, P = 0.04) and highly significant on the right (F= 7.66, P= 0.008). These results remained significant when individuals using other illicit drugs were removed from the analysis. CONCLUSIONS These are the first longitudinal data to demonstrate an association between thalamic volume loss and exposure to cannabis in currently unaffected people at familial high risk of developing schizophrenia. This observation may be important in understanding the link between cannabis exposure and the subsequent development of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian A Welch
- Robert Ferguson Unit, Astley Ainslee Hospital, Edinburgh and Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK.
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Koychev I, Barkus E, Ettinger U, Killcross S, Roiser JP, Wilkinson L, Deakin B. Evaluation of state and trait biomarkers in healthy volunteers for the development of novel drug treatments in schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25:1207-25. [PMID: 21994315 DOI: 10.1177/0269881111414450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia but they have little effect on core negative symptoms or cognitive impairment. To meet the deficiencies of current treatments, novel potential compounds are emerging from preclinical research but translation to clinical success has been poor. This article evaluates the possibility that cognitive and physiological abnormalities in schizophrenia can be used as central nervous system biomarkers to predict, in healthy volunteers, the likely efficacy of entirely new pharmacological approaches to treatment. Early detection of efficacy would focus resource on rapidly developing, effective drugs. We review the relevance of selected cognitive and physiological abnormalities as biomarkers in schizophrenia and three of its surrogate populations: (i) healthy volunteers with high trait schizotypy; (ii) unaffected relatives of patients; and (iii) healthy volunteers in a state of cortical glutamate disinhibition induced by low-dose ketamine. Several biomarkers are abnormal in these groups and in some instances there has been exploratory work to determine their sensitivity to drug action. They are generally insensitive to current antipsychotics and therefore their predictive validity cannot be established until novel, therapeutically useful drugs are discovered. Until then such biomarker studies can provide evidence of drugs engaging with the mechanism of interest and encouragement of the concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Koychev
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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11
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Mukkala S, Ilonen T, Nordström T, Miettunen J, Loukkola J, Barnett JH, Murray GK, Jääskeläinen E, Mäki P, Taanila A, Moilanen I, Jones PB, Heinimaa M, Veijola J. Different vulnerability indicators for psychosis and their neuropsychological characteristics in the Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2011; 33:385-94. [PMID: 21462045 PMCID: PMC3082776 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2010.524148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study is one of very few that has investigated the neuropsychological functioning of both familial and clinical high risk subjects for psychosis. Participants (N = 164) were members of the Northern Finland 1986 Birth Cohort in the following four groups: familial risk for psychosis (n = 62), clinical risk for psychosis (n = 20), psychosis (n = 13), and control subjects (n = 69). The neurocognitive performance of these groups was compared across 19 cognitive variables. The two risk groups did not differ significantly from controls, but differed from the psychosis group in fine motor function. Neuropsychological impairments were not evident in a non-help-seeking high-risk sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Mukkala
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Lazar NL, Neufeld RWJ, Cain DP. Contribution of nonprimate animal models in understanding the etiology of schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2011; 36:E5-29. [PMID: 21247514 PMCID: PMC3120891 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that is characterized by positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. The etiology of the disorder is complex, and it is thought to follow a multifactorial threshold model of inheritance with genetic and neurodevelop mental contributions to risk. Human studies are particularly useful in capturing the richness of the phenotype, but they are often limited to the use of correlational approaches. By assessing behavioural abnormalities in both humans and rodents, nonprimate animal models of schizophrenia provide unique insight into the etiology and mechanisms of the disorder. This review discusses the phenomenology and etiology of schizophrenia and the contribution of current nonprimate animal models with an emphasis on how research with models of neuro transmitter dysregulation, environmental risk factors, neurodevelopmental disruption and genetic risk factors can complement the literature on schizophrenia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah L Lazar
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
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13
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Tower of London versus real life analogue planning in schizophrenia with disorganization and psychomotor poverty symptoms. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2011; 17:474-84. [PMID: 21473804 DOI: 10.1017/s135561771100018x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychological models propose qualitatively distinct planning impairments in the psychomotor poverty and disorganization syndromes in schizophrenia. It was proposed that poor plan initiation in psychomotor poverty would lead to longer initial planning times, while poor plan execution in disorganization would lead to greater inefficiency. Participants with psychomotor poverty (n = 30) and disorganization (n = 29) symptoms were contrasted with healthy controls (n = 28) to elucidate distinct planning impairments. Planning was compared in the Tower of London task versus real life analogue performance in the form of a board-game style diary planning task. The specificity of planning impairments was investigated by controlling for current IQ. The disorganization group demonstrated inefficient planning across both tasks, with poor performance on the Tower of London but not on the real life analogue task remaining after intelligence levels were taken into account. Initial planning times did not differ between groups. Previous associations between poor planning and symptoms may have been driven by poor planning with disorganization symptoms and associated lower order impairments in executive function or the semantic system. Targeting these impairments in people with disorganization symptoms may lead to a greater chance of success in promoting generalization to the real world.
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Tarantino IS, Sharp RF, Geyer MA, Meves JM, Young JW. Working memory span capacity improved by a D2 but not D1 receptor family agonist. Behav Brain Res 2011; 219:181-8. [PMID: 21232557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia exhibit poor working memory (WM). Although several subcomponents of WM can be measured, evidence suggests the primary subcomponent affected in schizophrenia is span capacity (WMC). Indeed, the NIMH-funded MATRICS initiative recommended assaying the WMC when assessing the efficacy of a putative therapeutic for FDA approval. Although dopamine D1 receptor agonists improve delay-dependent memory in animals, evidence for improvements in WMC due to dopamine D1 receptor activation is limited. In contrast, the dopamine D2-family agonist bromocriptine improves WMC in humans. The radial arm maze (RAM) can be used to assess WMC, although complications due to ceiling effects or strategy confounds have limited its use. We describe a 12-arm RAM protocol designed to assess whether the dopamine D1-family agonist SKF 38393 (0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) or bromocriptine (0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) could improve WMC in C57BL/6N mice (n=12) in cross-over designs. WMC increased and strategy usage decreased with training. The dopamine D1 agonist SKF 38393 had no effect on WMC or long-term memory. Bromocriptine decreased WMC errors, without affecting long-term memory, consistent with human studies. These data confirm that WMC can be measured in mice and reveal drug effects that are consistent with reported effects in humans. Future research is warranted to identify the subtype of the D2-family of receptors responsible for the observed improvement in WMC. Finally, this RAM procedure may prove useful in developing animal models of deficient WMC to further assess putative treatments for the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadore S Tarantino
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
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15
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Barkus E, Murray RM. Substance use in adolescence and psychosis: clarifying the relationship. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2010; 6:365-89. [PMID: 20192802 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of exploration of the self, and this exploration may involve the use of alcohol and drugs. Sadly, for some, adolescence also marks the first signs of a psychosis. The temporal proximity between the onset of substance use and of psychosis has been the cause of much debate. Here we review the association of alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, and other drugs with psychosis, and we conclude that the use of cannabis and the amphetamines significantly contributes to the risk of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Barkus
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, SE58A4 London, United Kingdom.
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Suri R. Making Sense of Voices: An Exploration of Meaningfulness in Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia. JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/0022167810373394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article is a qualitative exploration of how auditory hallucinations have been experienced as meaningful to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. This theoretical perspective is supported by the survey of the literature, which suggests that for many centuries, individuals experiencing auditory hallucinations have been given much more credence than their counterparts in modern society. Most recent studies on auditory hallucinations indicate that auditory hallucinations themselves are not debilitating. Romme proposes instead that the fear of not being able to control or manage the auditory hallucinations can be disabling to the individual. Using a case example from the author’s own work, as well as drawing from other researchers and theorists, the article provides concrete illustrations of how individuals have derived insight from their auditory hallucinations. It is expected that the article may help clinicians better understand auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, particularly with regard to clinical treatment, as well as shed light on the phenomena of auditory hallucinations.
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Madraisau S, Tomoichi U, Ord LM, Florsheim P, Phillips LJ, Blailes F, Basilius M, Kuartei S, Tiobech J, Myles-Worsley M, Ngiralmau H. Early signs and symptoms of psychosis among Palauan adolescents. Early Interv Psychiatry 2010; 4:153-61. [PMID: 20536971 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2010.00164.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study was designed to identify early symptoms associated with the occurrence of psychosis during adolescence. METHOD Participants were recruited in the Republic of Palau, an isolated island nation in Micronesia with a prevalence rate for schizophrenia of 1.99%. Diagnostic interviews were used to obtain reports of early and current symptoms from 112 genetically high-risk (GHR) and 208 genetically low-risk (GLR) adolescents (ages 16-23). Based on current psychotic symptoms, participants were sorted into three groups: non-clinical, at-risk/symptomatic risk and clinically symptomatic. RESULTS Multivariate analysis of variance revealed several between-group differences on rates of early symptoms. Most notably, youth who were in the GHR-clinically symptomatic group reported significantly higher rates of early marijuana use than GLR-clinically symptomatic youth, who were significantly more likely to report early symptoms of depression and behaviour disorders. In addition, several gender based differences in the link between early symptoms and adolescent onset psychosis were noted. CONCLUSIONS Findings are generally consistent with previous research on early indicators, though several unexpected findings suggest that results from this study may not be fully generalizable beyond this relatively isolated and culturally distinct Micronesian nation.
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Keshavan MS, Kulkarni S, Bhojraj T, Francis A, Diwadkar V, Montrose DM, Seidman LJ, Sweeney J. Premorbid cognitive deficits in young relatives of schizophrenia patients. Front Hum Neurosci 2010; 3:62. [PMID: 20300465 PMCID: PMC2839849 DOI: 10.3389/neuro.09.062.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2009] [Accepted: 11/20/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia (SZ) are thought to be stable trait markers that predate the illness and manifest in relatives of patients. Adolescence is the age of maximum vulnerability to the onset of SZ and may be an opportune "window" to observe neurocognitive impairments close to but prior to the onset of psychosis. We reviewed the extant studies assessing neurocognitive deficits in young relatives at high risk (HR) for SZ and their relation to brain structural alterations. We also provide some additional data pertaining to the relation of these deficits to psychopathology and brain structural alterations from the Pittsburgh Risk Evaluation Program (PREP). Cognitive deficits are noted in the HR population, which are more severe in first-degree relatives compared to second-degree relatives and primarily involve psychomotor speed, memory, attention, reasoning, and social-cognition. Reduced general intelligence is also noted, although its relationship to these specific domains is underexplored. Premorbid cognitive deficits may be related to brain structural and functional abnormalities, underlining the neurobiological basis of this illness. Cognitive impairments might predict later emergence of psychopathology in at-risk subjects and may be targets of early remediation and preventive strategies. Although evidence for neurocognitive deficits in young relatives abounds, further studies on their structural underpinnings and on their candidate status as endophenotypes are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matcheri S Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Neuropsychological deficits among schizophrenia patients have been consistently documented in research over the past 20 years and are reviewed in this chapter. Discussion of general abilities is presented as a background and is followed by analysis of functioning in specific cognitive domains. Overall intellectual deficits are indicated by results from both general intelligence tests and composite test battery scores. Within specific cognitive domains, effect size differences are noted in numerous areas, including attention, with indications that working memory is affected more severely than simple attention, likely due to inclusion of an executive component in such tasks. There is also evidence of slowed processing speed among schizophrenia patients, likely contributing to deficits in other domains which rely on rapid and efficient assimilation of information. Executive impairments have been found on tests assessing set-shifting abilities, selective attention, and inhibition of inappropriate responses. Learning and memory deficits have been demonstrated extensively, with some evidence that recall of verbal material is more affected than recall of visual information, and that recognition abilities are comparatively less impaired than recall for both modalities. Receptive and expressive language abilities are compromised in schizophrenia patients, as well as visual perceptual, constructional, and fine motor skills. Social cognition is an area of particular importance due to its relevance to functional outcome. Deficits in expression and recognition of facial and prosodic affect have been demonstrated, although subjective experience of emotion appears to be relatively well preserved. Neuropsychological deficits described in this review appear to generally remain stable throughout adulthood, supporting neurodevelopmental, rather than neurodegenerative, models of the illness. Finally, cognitive deficits are increasingly used as endophenotypes, which is likely an important direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Kalkstein
- Schizophrenia Research Center, Neuropsychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 10th Floor, Gates Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Need AC, Attix DK, McEvoy JM, Cirulli ET, Linney KL, Hunt P, Ge D, Heinzen EL, Maia JM, Shianna KV, Weale ME, Cherkas LF, Clement G, Spector TD, Gibson G, Goldstein DB. A genome-wide study of common SNPs and CNVs in cognitive performance in the CANTAB. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:4650-61. [PMID: 19734545 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are commonly accompanied by cognitive impairments that are treatment resistant and crucial to functional outcome. There has been great interest in studying cognitive measures as endophenotypes for psychiatric disorders, with the hope that their genetic basis will be clearer. To investigate this, we performed a genome-wide association study involving 11 cognitive phenotypes from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. We showed these measures to be heritable by comparing the correlation in 100 monozygotic and 100 dizygotic twin pairs. The full battery was tested in approximately 750 subjects, and for spatial and verbal recognition memory, we investigated a further 500 individuals to search for smaller genetic effects. We were unable to find any genome-wide significant associations with either SNPs or common copy number variants. Nor could we formally replicate any polymorphism that has been previously associated with cognition, although we found a weak signal of lower than expected P-values for variants in a set of 10 candidate genes. We additionally investigated SNPs in genomic loci that have been shown to harbor rare variants that associate with neuropsychiatric disorders, to see if they showed any suggestion of association when considered as a separate set. Only NRXN1 showed evidence of significant association with cognition. These results suggest that common genetic variation does not strongly influence cognition in healthy subjects and that cognitive measures do not represent a more tractable genetic trait than clinical endpoints such as schizophrenia. We discuss a possible role for rare variation in cognitive genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Need
- Center for Human Genome Variation, Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, 450 Research Drive, Box 91009, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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