Cognitive and motor alterations in children attending a psychiatric
clinic in relation to schizophrenia spectrum family antecedents and
thought problems
Abstract
AIM Neurodevelopmental and clinical problems in childhood often precede
adult Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. We investigated if children
attending a psychiatric clinic presented more cognitive and motor
alterations if there was a family history of Schizophrenia Spectrum
Disorder (FHR-SZ) diagnosis. We also searched if there was a
relationship between clinical scores in CBCL Thought Problems and
increased problems in motor and cognitive performance. METHODS
Seventy-five children (aged 7 to 16; mean 12 y/o; 53% males) were
recruited (45 reported FHR-SZ -seven of them first degree-). They
completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V),
Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2), social cognition from
the Developmental NEuroPSYchological Assessment (NEPSY-II) and Conners
Continuous Performance Test (CPT-3). Parents completed the Child
Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive
Function (BRIEF-2). RESULTS A neurodevelopmental disorder was the
primary diagnosis in 65% (mainly ADHD). Motor performance and emotion
recognition were below expected by age, and IQ was average. No relevant
differences in relation to family history were found. Patients with high
scores in the CBCL Thought Problems subscale (n=38) were older, more
often presented a diagnosis of combined ADHD, performed worse in Emotion
Recognition, had Executive Function problems and clinical symptoms in
subscales Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawal/Depressed and Attention
problems. CONCLUSIONS In children attending a psychiatric clinic, CBCL
Thought Problems subscale associates with more internalizing clinical
problems, executive function, and social cognition difficulties. Larger
samples and first-degree FHR-SZ probands are needed to delineate risk
profiles.