Strategies for cognitive deficits in early onset schizophrenia

Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; onset of schizophrenia before the age of 18 years) is characterized by moderate to severe cognitive deficits, which have been linked to poor functional outcomes. Cognitive deficits in EOS patients include impairments in general cognitive abilities, attention, working memory, visio-spatial skills, verbal memory, visual memory. It is crucial to develop cognitive remediation strategies to achieve an optimal functional response in EOS. Studies were identified through searches of the Medline (PubMed) and PsycINFO databases using the terms ‘‘early onset schizophrenia’’ and ‘‘childhood onset schizophrenia’’ along with the terms ‘‘cognition’’ and ‘‘cognitive’’. This presentation will focus on impact of individual differences and comorbid diagnosis on cognitive functioning and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive deficits in patients with EOS.