Duration of basic and attenuated-psychotic symptoms in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: pattern of symptom onset and effects of duration on functioning and cognition

Staines, L., Gajwani, R. , Gross, J. , Gumley, A. I. , Lawrie, S. M., Schwannauer, M., Schultze-Lutter, F. and Uhlhaas, P. J. (2021) Duration of basic and attenuated-psychotic symptoms in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: pattern of symptom onset and effects of duration on functioning and cognition. BMC Psychiatry, 21, 339. (doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03267-2) (PMID:34233651) (PMCID:PMC8265048)

Abstract

Introduction: Duration of risk symptoms (DUR) in people at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) has been related to poorer clinical outcomes, such as reduced functioning, but it is currently unclear how different symptoms emerge as well as their link with cognitive deficits. To address these questions, we examined the duration of basic symptoms (BS) and attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) in a sample of CHR-P participants to test the hypothesis that BS precede the manifestation of APS. As a secondary objective, we investigated the relationship between DUR, functioning and neuropsychological deficits. Methods: Data from 134 CHR-P participants were assessed with the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State and the Schizophrenia Proneness Interview, Adult Version. Global, role and social functioning and neurocognition were assessed and compared to a sample of healthy controls (n = 57). Results: In CHR-P participants who reported both APS and BS, onset of BS and APS was not significantly related. When divided into short and long BS duration (</> 8 years), CHR-P participants with a longer duration of BS showed evidence for an onset of BS preceding APS (n = 8, p = 0.003). However, in the short BS duration group, APS showed evidence of preceding BS (n = 56, p = 0.020). Finally, there were no significant effects of DUR on cognition or functioning measures. Conclusion: The present findings do not support the view that APS constitute a secondary phenomenon to BS. Moreover, our data could also not confirm that DUR has a significant effect on functioning and cognitive deficits. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories regarding emerging psychosis and the importance of DUR.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gajwani, Dr Ruchika and Staines, Lorna and Uhlhaas, Professor Peter and Gross, Professor Joachim and Gumley, Professor Andrew
• Authors: Staines, L., Gajwani, R., Gross, J., Gumley, A. I., Lawrie, S. M., Schwannauer, M., Schultze-Lutter, F., and Uhlhaas, P. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: BMC Psychiatry
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1471-244X
• ISSN (Online): 1471-244X
• Published Online: 07 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMC Psychiatry 21(1):339
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190713		Using Magnetoencephalography to Investigate Aberrant Neural Synchrony in Prodromal Schizophrenia: A Translational Biomarker Approach	Peter Uhlhaas	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/L011689/1	NP - Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi)