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Executive dysfunction in Turkish children at high risk for schizophrenia

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Abstract

Objective

To explore different aspects of executive function (i.e. sequencing, set shifting and mental flexibility) in children who are at high risk for schizophrenia by comparing them with normal controls.

Method

The high risk (HR) group consisted of 30 children whose parents were diagnosed as schizophrenia. As the control group (CG) 30 children, whose parents did not meet any DSM IV diagnostic criteria for any psychiatric disorder, participated. They were age and sex matched with the HR group. For the evaluation of different domains of cognitive functions Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised (WISC-R), and a group of neuropsychological tests, including Trail Making A-B Tests, Color Form Test, and Progressive Figures Test were administered. Behavioral problems were assessed using Hacettepe Adjustment Scale.

Results

The subjects in the high risk group had significantly lower scores on Trail Making A-B, Color Form, Progressive Figures Tests, as well as subtests and scores of WISC-R (Information, Comprehension, Similarities, Picture Completion, Block Design, Object Assembly and Coding subtests, Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ scores). There is no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency and severity of behavioral problems.

Conclusion

Children of parents with schizophrenia displayed significantly greater number of difficulties in several areas of executive function, such as sequencing, set shifting, and mental flexibility, when compared to their controls.

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Acknowledgements

The first author NPF, currently a clinical instructor at the child psychiatry department of Marmara University Hospital, planned this study while a resident in child psychiatry department of Hacettepe University, where she also collected the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Marmara Universitesi Hastanesi Cocuk, Psikiyatrisi Anabilim Dali, Tophanelioglu Cad. No: 13-15 Altunizade, 34660, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nese Perdahli Fis MD & Yanki Yazgan MD

  2. Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Fusun Cuhadaroglu Cetin MD & Mihriban Erturk BA

  3. Dept. of Child Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Emel Erdogan MA

  4. Clinical Psychologist, Gullu Sok. No: 4 Iclevent, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ceyda Dedeoglu MA

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  1. Nese Perdahli Fis MD
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  2. Fusun Cuhadaroglu Cetin MD
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  3. Mihriban Erturk BA
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  4. Emel Erdogan MA
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  5. Ceyda Dedeoglu MA
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Correspondence to Nese Perdahli Fis MD.

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Fis, N.P., Cetin, F.C., Erturk, M. et al. Executive dysfunction in Turkish children at high risk for schizophrenia. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 17, 424–431 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0684-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0684-x

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