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Course of intelligence deficits in early onset, first episode schizophrenia: a controlled, 5-year longitudinal study

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Abstract

Only few prospective longitudinal studies have assessed the course of intelligence deficits in early onset schizophrenia (EOS), and these have used different age appropriate versions of Wechsler Intelligence Scales and age appropriate norms. The post-psychotic development of intelligence in EOS has predominantly been characterized as relatively stable in these studies. However, comparisons of IQs from different test versions based on the different norms may not permit unequivocal interpretations. The objective of the current study was to compare the development of intelligence in EOS patients (N = 10) from their first psychotic episode to 5 years of post onset with that of healthy controls (N = 35) and patients who at baseline had been diagnosed with other non-affective psychoses (N = 8). The same version of a Wechsler Intelligence Scale was administered at both baseline and follow-up assessments, and the same norms were used to derive IQs at baseline and follow-up. Significantly smaller change in mean full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) was found in diagnostically stable EOS patients compared with healthy controls during the follow-up period. However, no statistically significant difference in mean FSIQ change was observed between patients with EOS and patients with other non-affective psychoses, although this result must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample sizes. The results suggest abnormally slow acquisition of new intellectual information and skills in EOS patients during the first 5 years after full clinical presentation.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by grants from H:S Research Foundation, The Danish Medical Research Counsil, Aase and Ejnar Danielsen Foundation, and Mrs. C. Hermansen Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

    Jens Richardt Moellegaard Jepsen, Anne Katrine Pagsberg & Anne Marie R. Christensen

  2. Lundbeck Foundation Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Psychiatric Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, Nordre Ringvej 29-67, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark

    Birgitte Fagerlund & Rikke W. Hilker

  3. Psychiatric Center Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

    Merete Nordentoft

  4. Institute of Public Health and Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, opg. Z 1.sal, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark

    Erik L. Mortensen

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  1. Jens Richardt Moellegaard Jepsen
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Correspondence to Jens Richardt Moellegaard Jepsen.

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Jepsen, J.R.M., Fagerlund, B., Pagsberg, A.K. et al. Course of intelligence deficits in early onset, first episode schizophrenia: a controlled, 5-year longitudinal study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 19, 341–351 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0053-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0053-4

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