Subjective and objective neuropsychological abnormalities in a psychosis prodrome clinic

BACKGROUND: Predicting transitions to psychosis is difficult. Neuropsychology might facilitate predictions. AIMS: To report preliminary data on self-perceived and objectively measurable neurocognition in prodromal patients of the first German early recognition centre. METHOD: Subjective neuropsychological disturbances were assessed in 51 patients with potentially prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia. Initial neurocognitive functioning was compared with matched normals and patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS: Self-perceived deficits mostly concerned perception, cognition and stress reactivity. Five transitions happened during the 15-month follow-up. Recently emerging or intensifying deficits were to some extent predictive of transition. Persons at risk performed worse than controls on objectively measured verbal capacity, attention and memory functions. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological deficits, either self-perceived or objectively measured, characterise persons at risk for schizophrenia and may contribute to predicting transitions.