We developed a multiple-form list learning test appropriate for use with the Greek population and generated norms for clinical and research use. This task, the Greek Verbal Learning Test (GVLT), was based on the California Verbal Learning Test. We administered the standard version (Form A) to a sample of 354 healthy individuals, as well as two alternative forms (B and C) to a subgroup of the initial sample. Performance on the three forms was equivalent, and each test presented excellent internal consistency. We found good sensitivity and specificity in the testãs (Form A) utility in differentiating individuals with schizophrenia (n = 50) and individuals with traumatic brain injury (n = 53) from healthy adults. A multiple regression analysis indicated that age, education and sex predicted performance. Regression-based norms are also provided. Taken together, these data provide preliminary support for the reliability and construct validity of the GVLT.

Aim: The present study aimed at assessing whether impaired facial affect recognition (FAR) in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) would improve after a brief intervention targeting FAR specifically.Methods: Thirty-five outpatients and 38 healthy controls were administered an intervention which involved training to recognize emotional information, conveyed by changes in facial features. Using a pre-and post-intervention design, two measurements of FAR were conducted using an experimental procedure with alternative sets of stimuli.Results: We found improved overall FAR performance in both participant groups with marked effects in recognizing anger, disgust and fear. Patients' post-intervention performance was comparable to healthy participants' baseline performance.Conclusions: The present improvement in facial affects recognition in FEP patients, despite only somewhat impaired, emphasizes the importance of early targeted interventions for FAR in psychosis. Further research is needed to assess whether this improvement will generalize to global social functioning. K E Y W O R D Searly psychosis, emotion perception, facial affect, intervention, negative valence

It has been well documented in many studies till now that patients in their first episode of psychosis demonstrate cognitive deficits. However, it is yet to be made clear how these deficits progress. Deterioration, stability or even amelioration in some domains has been noted from researchers. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal course of cognitive deficits over time. We administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological test to a group of first psychotic episode patients at the acute phase, 6 months and 1 year later. The sample comprised of 25 patients (13 male) in the first episode of psychosis. Specific tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were used. The cognitive domains of attention, memory, working memory, visuospatial ability and planning, mental flexibility/shifting were examined. Repeated measures ANOVA was used in order to detect changes in the patients’ performance over time. According to our data, there was an improvement from baseline to 6 months in attention, planning and visual working memory. There was no change in performance in these cognitive domains from 6 months to 1 year from baseline. Memory, mental flexibility/shifting and visuospatial memory remained stable over time. Our data suggest variability concerning neuropsychological performance in specific tests examining different domains. Evaluation of cognitive function in the first episode of psychosis needs more thorough and comprehensive research, in relation to its course over time.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Neurocognitive dysfunction in patients presenting psychotic symptoms for the first time has been repeatedly noted by researchers. However, there is still much diversity in data concerning the performance of these patients in specific cognitive domains and their degree of impairment. We used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to administer a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. A series of tests was selected measuring attention, memory, planning, inhibition, shifting ability, mental flexibility, working memory and visuospatial ability. The sample comprised 64 patients (37 male) with first episode of psychosis and 14 healthy individuals (9 male). Patients’ performance was lower in all cognitive domains, in relation to the performance of controls. More specifically, impairments in sustained attention (–.6 SD), memory (–.7 SD), planning (–.6 SD), working memory (–.7 SD), shifting ability (–.6 SD) and visuospatial ability (–.6 SD) were prominent. Also, patients presented a severe deficit in speed of processing (–.7 SD) and selective attention (–.6 SD). Our data confirms that patients in the first episode of psychosis present deficits in all cognitive domains. A more rigorous and thorough examination of specific subcomponents of cognitive abilities may be necessary in order to examine possible contributing factors as to specify the exact nature of cognitive deficits in first episode of psychosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.