Schizophrenia : cognitive deficits in relatives

Cognitive deficits, such as problems with inhibition and memory, are a central feature of schizophrenia and also occur in first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients even though they may be unaffected by the condition themselves. In people with schizophrenia the deficits remain constant over time but little research has been done into whether this is true of their relatives as well. A study of 25 children aged between 6 and 15 who all had at least one schizophrenic parent assessed their cognitive functioning at different intervals. The researchers found that the children's inhibition and working memory were borderline to mildly impaired and that these deficits remained over time suggesting that it would be a good idea to give patients' relatives, as well as the patients themselves, therapy aimed at improving these cognitive deficits.

Ross, Randal G. ... [et al] - The stability of inhibitory and working memory deficits in children and adolescents who are children of parents with schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bulletin January 2008, 34(1), 47-51