Abstract:

Objective   To explore the information processing speed and the related factors in first-episode schizophrenia. Methods    Information processing speed of 79 cases of first-episode schizophrenia and 54 healthy controls was assessed with the matrics consensus cognitive battery(MCCB). The clinical symptoms of patients were evaluated with the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Results   The patients′ information processing speed, their scores in trail making test, symbol coding and verbal fluency test were significantly lower than those of the controls. Gender, age of first onset, family history and course of disease were closely related to the information processing speed in first-episode schizophrenia. Conclusion    The information processing speed of cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia is  significantly impaired. Age of first onset, family history, gender and course of disease are  associated with the processing speed in first-episode schizophrenia.

Key words: First-episode schizophrenia; Processing Speed; Cognitive function; Age of first onset