BackgroundPredicting transitions to psychosis is difficult. Neuropsychology might facilitate predictions.AimsTo report preliminary data on self-perceived and objectively measurable neurocognition in prodromal patients of the first German early recognition centre.MethodSubjective neuropsychological disturbances were assessed in 51 patients with potentially prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia. Initial neurocognitive functioning was compared with matched normals and patients with schizophrenia.ResultsSelf-perceived deficits mostly concerned perception, cognition and stress reactivity. Five transitions happened during the 15-month follow-up. Recently emerging or intensifying deficits were to some extent predictive of transition. Persons at risk performed worse than controls on objectively measured verbal capacity, attention and memory functions.ConclusionsNeuropsychological deficits, either self-perceived or objectively measured, characterise persons at risk for schizophrenia and may contribute to predicting transitions.

The differences found in lifetime consumption patterns between comorbid patients and substance abusers without psychotic disorder do not support the so-called self-medication hypothesis. Instead, the differences in lifetime consumption of certain drugs might be a result of lower social competence and standing in schizophrenic patients and lower ability to procure certain illicit drugs.

Objective:  To compare the lifetime consumption patterns of patients with schizophrenia and multiple substance abuse and multiple substance abusers without schizophrenia. Method:  Two hundred and thirty in‐patients of a specialized rehabilitation facility for young drug abusers were assessed with regard to their lifetime consumption patterns of 16 different classes of psychoactive drugs. While 110 patients had no diagnosis of a schizophrenic disorder, 120 patients had a comorbidity of multiple substance abuse and schizophrenia. Results:  Comorbid patients reported a higher lifetime consumption of hallucinogens, whereas multiple substance abusers without schizophrenia showed a higher lifetime consumption rate of cocaine. Conclusion:  The differences found in lifetime consumption patterns between comorbid patients and substance abusers without psychotic disorder do not support the so‐called self‐medication hypothesis. Instead, the differences in lifetime consumption of certain drugs might be a result of lower social competence and standing in schizophrenic patients and lower ability to procure certain illicit drugs.

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