Project Summary

Abraham Reichenberg, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, notes that considerable evidence suggests that premorbid intellectual functioning is associated with increased risk for schizophrenia. Yet, two recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated increased risk for schizophrenia in individuals with high intellectual abilities. However, and similarly to most studies of premorbid intellectual functioning in schizophrenia, these studies used scholastic achievements and aptitude tests to assess intellectual functioning which hinders the ability to explore the nature of specific premorbid neuropsychological deficits (e.g., deficits in working memory and attention, and normal verbal performance) in schizophrenia. Dr. Lambe will use an epidemiological cohort to study the association between premorbid high IQ (assessed by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and risk for schizophrenia and will characterize the premorbid neuropsychological profile of schizophrenia patients with low premorbid IQ using the sub tests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The cohort will comprise of all children refereed for assessment at Israel's North-East Regional Psychological Services Center until 1993.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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