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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Open Access 20-03-2024 | Original Paper

Deciphering the interplay between psychopathological symptoms, sensorimotor, cognitive and global functioning: a transdiagnostic network analysis

Authors: Stefan Fritze, Geva A. Brandt, Sebastian Volkmer, Jonas Daub, Maria Krayem, Jacqueline Kukovic, Emanuel Schwarz, Urs Braun, Georg Northoff, Robert Christian Wolf, Katharina M. Kubera, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Dusan Hirjak

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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Abstract

Background

Understanding the relationship between psychopathology and major domains of human neurobehavioral functioning may identify new transdiagnostic treatment targets. However, studies examining the interrelationship between psychopathological symptoms, sensorimotor, cognitive, and global functioning in a transdiagnostic sample are lacking. We hypothesized a close relationship between sensorimotor and cognitive functioning in a transdiagnostic patient sample.

Methods

We applied network analysis and community detection methods to examine the interplay and centrality [expected influence (EI) and strength] between psychopathological symptoms, sensorimotor, cognitive, and global functioning in a transdiagnostic sample consisting of 174 schizophrenia spectrum (SSD) and 38 mood disorder (MOD) patients. All patients (n = 212) were examined with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Heidelberg Neurological Soft Signs Scale (NSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia consisted of trail making test B (TMT-B), category fluency (CF) and digit symbol substitution test (DSST).

Results

NSS showed closer connections with TMT-B, CF, and DSST than with GAF and PANSS. DSST, PANSS general, and NSS motor coordination scores showed the highest EI. Sensory integration, DSST, and CF showed the highest strength.

Conclusions

The close connection between sensorimotor and cognitive impairment as well as the high centrality of sensorimotor symptoms suggests that both domains share aspects of SSD and MOD pathophysiology. But, because the majority of the study population was diagnosed with SSD, the question as to whether sensorimotor symptoms are really a transdiagnostic therapeutic target needs to be examined in future studies including more balanced diagnostic groups.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Deciphering the interplay between psychopathological symptoms, sensorimotor, cognitive and global functioning: a transdiagnostic network analysis
Authors
Stefan Fritze
Geva A. Brandt
Sebastian Volkmer
Jonas Daub
Maria Krayem
Jacqueline Kukovic
Emanuel Schwarz
Urs Braun
Georg Northoff
Robert Christian Wolf
Katharina M. Kubera
Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
Dusan Hirjak
Publication date
20-03-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-024-01782-3