Neuropsychological and neurophysiological findings in individuals suspected to be at risk for schizophrenia: preliminary results from the Basel early detection of psychosis study - Früherkennung von Psychosen (FEPSY)

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 108; no. 2; pp. 152 - 155
• Main Authors: Gschwandtner, U., Aston, J., Borgwardt, S., Drewe, M., Feinendegen, C., Lacher, D., Lanzarone, A., Stieglitz, R.-D., Riecher-Rössler, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Adult; eye movement; Female; Humans; Male; motor skills; Motor Skills Disorders - etiology; Neurologic Examination; neuropsychological tests; Ocular Motility Disorders - etiology; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; psychotic disorders; Risk Factors; schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - complications; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - etiology; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00157.x

Objective: Our study aims to establish a scientific basis for the very early detection of patients at risk for schizophrenia during the nonspecific prodromal phase of the disorder and to predict its outbreak. Method: A multidomain approach is used. After screening, approved psychopathological, neurophysiological, neuropsychological and neuroradiological investigations are used to assess a sample of individuals suspected to be at risk for schizophrenia. Results: Neuropsychological and fine motor functioning tests as well as eye movement measurements showed statistically significant differences (P<0.01) between individuals suspected to be at risk for schizophrenia and healthy controls. Conclusion: Individuals suspected to be at risk for schizophrenia show specific impairments in various investigations including neuropsychological and fine motor functioning tests as well as eye movement measurements. A set of methods sensitive to even subtle changes in normal functioning may prove useful in predicting the subsequent outbreak of schizophrenia.