Unitary construct of generalized cognitive ability underlying BACS performance across psychotic disorders and in their first-degree relatives

W. C. Hochberger, S. K. Hill, C. L M Nelson, J. L. Reilly, R. S E Keefe, G. D. Pearlson, M. S. Keshavan, C. A. Tamminga, B. A. Clementz, J. A. Sweeney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite robust evidence of neurocognitive dysfunction in psychotic patients, the degree of similarity in cognitive architecture across psychotic disorders and among their respective first-degree relatives is not well delineated. The present study examined the latent factor structure of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) neuropsychological battery. Analyses were conducted on 783 psychosis spectrum probands (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, psychotic bipolar), 887 of their first-degree relatives, and 396 non-psychiatric controls from the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP) consortium. Exploratory factor analysis of BACS subtest scores indicated a single-factor solution that was similar across all groups and provided the best overall data fit in confirmatory analyses. Correlations between the standard BACS composite score and the sum of subscale scores weighted by their loadings on this unitary factor were very high in all groups (r ≥ .99). Thus, the BACS assesses a similar unitary cognitive construct in probands with different psychotic disorders, in their first-degree relatives, and in healthy controls, and this factor is well measured by the test's standard composite score.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)156-161
Number of pages6
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume170
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia
  • Factor analysis
  • First-degree relatives
  • Psychosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Unitary construct of generalized cognitive ability underlying BACS performance across psychotic disorders and in their first-degree relatives'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this