Cognitive variability in psychotic disorders: a cross-diagnostic cluster analysis

What is it about?

Neurocognitive dysfunction is a core symptom dimension across the psychoses, reflective of pathophysiological processes and highly predictive of community functioning. While there is evidence of considerable overlap in cognitive symptoms between diagnoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it is unclear whether deficits follow the same developmental or degenerative course across disorders. We trace the evolution of cognitive symptoms from pre-morbidity through chronicity, and find evidence of both shared and distinct aspects of cognitive course across diagnoses.

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Why is it important?

A lifetime perspective on the evolution of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder reveals evidence of both shared and distinct aspects of illness development, and may provide a useful guide to understanding the neurobiological processes associated with illness progression and prognosis. Additionally, identifying the timing and inflection points of cognitive decline may offer guidance for developing and implementing treatments when they may be most beneficial.