Neuropsychological functioning in early onset psychotic disorders.

This paper examines whether neuropsychological profiles of youth with early onset psychotic disorders predicted diagnostic or clinical status. Youth with schizophrenia (n=27), bipolar disorder (n=22), and psychosis NOS (n=20) were included. Subjects received an extensive neuropsychological evaluation, including measures of general cognition, attention, memory, and executive functioning.

Premorbid functioning in early-onset psychotic disorders.

Objective: To examine the premorbid characteristics of youths with early-onset psychotic disorders.

Method: Subjects with early-onset psychotic disorders received an extensive diagnostic evaluation upon entry into the study, including a historic review of premorbid functioning using the Premorbid Adjustment Scale.

Results: Youths with schizophrenia (n = 27), bipolar disorder (n = 22), and psychosis not otherwise specified (NOS) (n = 20) were included.

Symptom factors in early-onset psychotic disorders.

Objective: To examine the factor structure of symptom ratings in early-onset psychotic illnesses.

Method: Subjects were drawn from a 2-year prospective study of early onset psychotic disorders. Principal components analysis with orthogonal (varimax) rotation was used to create factors from baseline ratings on the Schedule for Positive Symptoms, the Schedule for Negative Symptoms, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for Children.