Schizophrenia Research
Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 211-215, 31 January 2006

Spatial working memory deficits in adolescents at clinical high risk for schizophrenia

  • Christopher W. Smith

      Affiliations

    • Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program, Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (NSLIJHS) Glen Oaks, NY 11042, United States
    • ,
  • Sohee Park

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 111 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN 37240, United States
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 615 322 2532; fax: +1 615 343 8449
    • ,
  • Barbara Cornblatt

      Affiliations

    • Recognition and Prevention (RAP) Program, Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (NSLIJHS) Glen Oaks, NY 11042, United States

Received 24 August 2005; received in revised form 21 September 2005; accepted 23 September 2005.

Abstract 

Identifying endophenotypic markers is crucial to schizophrenia research for finding appropriate preventive strategies. Working memory (WM) deficit has been suggested as a marker for schizophrenia but its presence in adolescents at high risk is understudied. We piloted a test of spatial WM function in adolescents at clinical high risk (CHR) for schizophrenia and in age- and IQ-matched low-risk control subjects. CHR adolescents showed deficits in spatial WM compared with controls but showed intact performance on a non-WM-demanding spatial control task. Although based on a small pilot study, the results strongly suggest that WM deficit may be a risk factor for psychosis.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Prodrome, High-risk adolescence, Working memory, Prefrontal function

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PII: S0920-9964(05)00463-9

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2005.09.019

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 211-215, 31 January 2006

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