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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Published in:

01-11-2008

Neuropsychological impairments predict the clinical course in schizophrenia

Authors: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Prof. Wolfgang Wölwer, Jürgen Brinkmeyer, Mathias Riesbeck, Lena Freimüller, Ansgar Klimke, Michael Wagner, Hans-Jürgen Möller, Stefan Klingberg, Wolfgang Gaebel, for the German Study Group on First Episode Schizophrenia

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Special Issue 5/2008

Abstract

To add to the open question whether cognitive impairments predict clinical outcome in schizophrenia, a sample of 125 first episode patients was assessed at the onset and over one year of controlled long-term treatment within a study of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia. No relapse according to predefined criteria occurred within the first year, but a total of 29 patients fulfilled post-hoc criteria of “clinical deterioration”. Impairments in cognitive functioning assessed by the Trail-Making Test B at the onset of long-term treatment differentiated between patients with vs. without later clinical deterioration and proved to be a significant predictor of the clinical course in a regression analysis outperforming initial clinical status as predictor. However, low sensitivity (72%) and specificity (51%) limit possibilities of a transfer to individual predictions. As a linear combination of neuropsychological and psychopathological variables obtained highest predictive validity, such a combination may improve the prediction of the course of schizophrenic disorders and may ultimately lead to a more efficient and comprehensive treatment planning.

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Title: Neuropsychological impairments predict the clinical course in schizophrenia
Authors: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Prof. Wolfgang Wölwer
Jürgen Brinkmeyer
Mathias Riesbeck
Lena Freimüller
Ansgar Klimke
Michael Wagner
Hans-Jürgen Möller
Stefan Klingberg
Wolfgang Gaebel
for the German Study Group on First Episode Schizophrenia
Publication date: 01-11-2008
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue Special Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-5006-2

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