Background-Neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia has received considerable attention because of its robust prediction of functional outcome. Psychiatric symptoms, in particular negative symptoms, have also been shown to predict functional outcome, but have garnered much less attention. The high degree of intercorrelation among all of these variables leaves unclear whether neurocognition has a direct effect on functional outcome or whether that relationship to functional outcome is partially mediated by symptoms.Methods-A meta-analysis of 73 published English language studies (total n = 6519) was conducted to determine the magnitude of the relationship between neurocognition and symptoms, and between symptoms and functional outcome. A model was tested in which symptoms mediate the relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome. Functional outcome involved measures of social relationships, school and work functioning, and laboratory assessments of social skill.Results-Although negative symptoms were found to be significantly related to neurocognitive functioning (p < .01) positive symptoms were not (p = .97). The relationship was moderate for negative symptoms (r=−.24, n = 4757, 53 studies), but positive symptoms were not at all related to neurocogniton (r = .00, n= 1297, 25 studies). Negative symptoms were significantly correlated with Role of funding sourceThere was no funding source. ContributorsJoseph Ventura conceived the study design, data analysis plan, conducted literature searches, supervised the conduct of the study, and wrote the manuscript Dr. Hellemann conducted the data analysis and commented on all drafts of the manuscript. Ms. Thames performed literature searches, created tables, and commented on all drafts of the manuscript. Ms. Koeller conducted literature searches and organized study papers. Dr. Nuechterlein provided consultation of concepts we addressed and edited the final manuscript. All authors have contributed to and approved the final manuscript. Conflict of interestNone of the authors has a financial conflict of interest. Conclusions-Although neurocognition and negative symptoms are both predictors of functional outcome, negative symptoms might at least partially mediate the relationship between neurocognition and outcome. NIH Public Access

Aims:  Assertive community treatment (ACT) is known to have a positive impact on the number and length of inpatient stays. However, recent studies have shown little or no effect of such programs in European settings. This paper aims to describe the impact of a newly implemented ACT program on patients and their families' burden. Predictive factors have also been examined. Method:  Fifty‐five patients characterized by heavy use of psychiatric care, numerous hospitalizations, or failure to link with outpatient psychiatric care and their relatives were followed. Data were gathered on patients before and after follow up as well as on relatives' burden and costs. The number and domains of clinician interventions have been detailed. Results:  The ACT program had a positive effect on symptoms, psychosocial adaptation and quality of life. Age was the most significant predictor of changes. Older patients, most of them suffering from delusional disorders, showed no improvement or even some impairment. Finally, the program appeared to have a marked effect on easing families' burden in domains such as assistance in daily life activities and costs. Conclusions:  ACT appears to be recommended for patients with poor outcome when treated in other settings. Early intervention seems to be justified as highlighted by younger age being the best predictor of positive changes. Families can be helped considerably, particularly those confronted with patients with persistent disturbing symptoms which do not, however, warrant hospitalization. Finally, the fact that patients with delusional disorder do not seem to improve warrants further research.

In schizophrenic disorders, impairments in social functioning, neurocognition, and theory of mind (ToM) are frequently reported but little is known about the relationships between them. The aim of this study is twofold: (a) to compare neurocognition, social-functioning, and ToM in patients and controls and (b) to investigate whether impairments in these domains are related to psychiatric symptoms. Participants were 16 outpatients with schizophrenic disorders (DSM-IV), and 16 healthy controls. We administered neuropsychological tests, ToM, social functioning, and psychopathology measures. Patients and controls differed on most neurocognitive variables (memory, attention, executive functions). We also found significant differences in 1 ToM factor and 2 social measures. The latter were the only 2 related to manic-hostility and negative symptoms subscores of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Our findings suggest that there is no direct relation between neurocognitive impairments and social dysfunctions.

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