Neuropsychological Profiles in First-episodes Psychosis and Their Relationship with Clinical, Metacognition and Social Cognition Variables

Overview

Journal Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2024 May 28

PMID 38806850

Authors

Victoria Espinosa

Alana Bagaeva

Raquel Lopez-Carrilero

Ana Barajas

Maria Luisa Barrigon

Irene Birules

Eva Frigola-Capell

Luciana Diaz-Cutraro

Fermin Gonzalez-Higueras

Eva Grasa

Alfonso Gutierrez-Zotes

Ester Lorente-Rovira

Trinidad Pelaez

Esther Pousa

Isabel Ruiz-Delgado

Marina Verdaguer-Rodriguez

Susana Ochoa

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

An increasing interest in the assessment of neuropsychological performance variability in people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) has emerged. However, its association with clinical and functional outcomes requires further study. Furthermore, FEP neuropsychological subgroups have not been characterized by clinical insight or metacognition and social cognition domains. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify specific groups of patients with FEP based on neuropsychological variables and to compare their sociodemographic, clinical, metacognition and social cognition profiles. A sample of 149 FEP was recruited from adult mental health services. Neuropsychological performance was assessed by a neuropsychological battery (WAIS-III; TMT; WSCT; Stroop Test; TAVEC). The assessment also included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical, functional, metacognition and social cognition variables. Two distinct neuropsychological profiles emerged: one neuropsychological impaired cluster (N = 56) and one relatively intact cluster (N = 93). Significant differences were found between both profiles in terms of sociodemographic characteristics (age and level of education) (p = 0.001), clinical symptoms (negative, positive, disorganized, excitement and anxiety) (p = 0.041-0.001), clinical insight (p = 0.038-0.017), global functioning (p = 0.014), as well as in social cognition domains (emotional processing and theory of mind) (p = 0.001; p = 0.002). No significant differences were found in metacognitive variables (cognitive insight and 'jumping to conclusions' bias). Relationship between neurocognitive impairment, social cognition and metacognition deficits are discussed. Early identifying of neuropsychological profiles in FEP, characterized by significant differences in clinical and social cognition variables, could provide insight into the prognosis and guide the implementation of tailored early-intervention.

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