Work

Premorbid educational attainment in schizophrenia: association with symptoms, functioning, and neurobehavioral measures

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of educational attainment with phenomenology and neurobehavioral measures assessing brain structure and function in schizophrenia. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two patients with schizophrenia were divided into two groups on the basis of educational attainment: > or = 13 years of education was the cutoff between the high and low groups. The two education groups were compared on symptomatology, functioning, and subsamples on neuropsychological profile, brain volume by magnetic resonance imaging, and brain metabolism by fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography. RESULTS: The patients with more education had lower levels of psychotic symptomatology than their counterparts with less education. This was most evident for affective flattening, alogia, avolition, and bizarre behavior. The higher education group also had better ratings on premorbid adjustment, and the engagement and vocational factors of the Quality of Life Scale. Patients in the high education group also performed better on the neuropsychological battery. There were no brain volume differences or differences in brain metabolism between the two education groups. CONCLUSIONS: Education is an important indicator of premorbid function and is related to the clinical presentation of schizophrenia.

Source: Biological Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00046-8

Authors: Charlie L Swanson, Ruben C Gur, Warren Bilker, Richard G Petty, Raquel E Gur

Institution: University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,489