Dispersion of cognitive performance test scores on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery: A different perspective

Objective: Persons with schizophrenia exhibit greater neurocognitive test score dispersion. Here, we seek to characterize dispersion on the Neurocognitive Composite subtests of the Measurement of Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrena Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and determine the relative effects of different antipsychotic formulations on dispersion and mean performance. Method: In this post hoc analysis of the DREaM study (NCT02431702), which compared treatment with paliperidone palmitate (PP) long-acting injectable with oral antipsychotic (OAP) treatment over 18 months, dispersion in MCCB neurocognitive subtest performance was calculated for each participant by visit (test occasion). Results: Over 18 months, mean neurocognitive performance improved in a manner consistent with the expected effects of practice in both groups (p