Neurocognitive Decline in Schizophrenia Patients Studied Over 20 Years

Researchers conducted a long-term study to investigate the trajectory of neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The study, led by Anna-Karin Olsson from the Department of Psychiatry, followed 28 patients who underwent neurocognitive assessments at both baseline and 20 years later. The results showed significant worsening in cognitive flexibility, verbal learning, verbal retention memory, and verbal intellectual function over the two-decade period. Notably, the decline in the verbal domain was particularly pronounced, with large effect sizes indicating a significant impact on patients' cognitive abilities.

Key Takeaways:

• A 20-year prospective study of a community sample in Sweden found significant worsening in cognitive flexibility, verbal learning, verbal retention memory, and verbal intellectual function in schizophrenia patients.
• The decline in verbal domain-specific cognitive functions was most pronounced, with large effect sizes indicating a significant impact on patients' cognitive abilities.
• The study utilized data from the Swedish Clinical Long-Term Psychosis Study (CLIPS) and included 28 patients who performed neurocognitive assessments at both baseline and 20 years later.
• The Department of Psychiatry, led by Anna-Karin Olsson, conducted the research, which was published in the journal Schizophrenia Research Cognition.
• The study's findings suggest accelerated aging in the verbal domain specifically, highlighting the need for early intervention and treatment strategies to mitigate cognitive decline in schizophrenia patients.
• Christine Mohn, Maivor Olsson-Tall, Fredrik Hjarthag, Iris van Dijk Hard, and Lars Helldin were among the additional authors contributing to the research.

Statistics:

• The study followed 28 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders for 20 years.
• The participants exhibited significant worsening in cognitive flexibility (p < 0.01), verbal learning (p < 0.01), verbal retention memory (p < 0.01), and verbal intellectual function (p < 0.01) compared to baseline.
• The effect sizes for the statistically significant differences from baseline to follow-up were large, indicating a significant impact on patients' cognitive abilities.
• The study was conducted over a period of 20 years, with participants undergoing assessments at both baseline and follow-up.

Sources:

• Neurocognitive function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A 20-year prospective study of a community sample. Schizophrenia Research Cognition, 2025;43:100393
• NewsRx. New Findings from Department of Psychiatry Yields New Data on Schizophrenia (Neurocognitive function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A 20-year prospective study of a community sample). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 27, 2025; p 497