Journal article

Exploring cognitive heterogeneity in first-episode psychosis: What cluster analysis can reveal

MP Reser, KA Allott, E Killackey, J Farhall, SM Cotton

Psychiatry Research | Published : 2015

Abstract

Variable outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) are partly attributable to heterogeneity in cognitive functioning. To aid identification of those likely to have poorer or better outcomes, we examined whether purported cognitive profiles identified through use of cluster analysis in chronic schizophrenia were evident in FEP. We also aimed to assess whether there was a relationship between cognitive profile and factors independent of the solution, providing external validation that the cognitive profiles represented distinct subgroups. Ward's method hierarchical cluster analysis, verified by a k-means cluster solution, was performed using data obtained from a cognitive test battery administ..

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Grants

Awarded by Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health


Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Australian Rotary Health; the Australian Research Council (LP0883273); Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health; National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowships to SC (APP1061998) and to EK (APP1051891); and University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Ronald Philip Griffiths Fellowships to KA. We thank the participants and the Orygen Youth Health clinicians for supporting the study.