Identifying neurocognitive markers for outcome prediction of global functioning in individuals with first-episode and ultra-high-risk for psychosis

Aim There is an increasing need for identifying neurocognitive predictors of global functional outcome in early psychosis toward optimizing early intervention strategy. Methods We conducted a longitudinal observational study to investigate an association between neurocognitive assessments at baseline and global functional outcome at an average of one-year follow-up. Participants included ultra-high-risk for psychosis (UHR) individuals who had not converted to psychosis during the follow-up period (UHR-NP), and those with first-episode psychosis (FEP) individuals. We evaluated neurocognition at baseline using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Japanese version (BACS-J), including verbal memory, working memory, motor speed, verbal fluency, attention/processing speed, and executive function. We also assessed global functional outcome using modified Global Assessment of Functioning (mGAF) scale both at baseline and after the follow-up period. Results 34 UHR-NP individuals (34/47, 72%) and 29 FEP individuals (29/36, 81%) completed assessment of neurocognitive function at baseline and functional outcome at follow-up. In the UHR-NP group, attention/processing speed was significantly associated with the mGAF score at follow-up. In the FEP group, executive function was significantly associated with the average mGAF score during the follow-up. Conclusion The attention/processing speed and executive function at baseline may predict global functional outcome of early psychosis. These neurocognitive tests are easy to incorporate in clinical settings and, if replicated in independent samples, may be included in routine clinical assessments for prediction of functional outcome in early psychosis.