Comparison of social cognition and neurocognition in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ozbek S. U., Sut E., Bora E.

NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS, vol.155, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 155
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105441
  • Journal Name: NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Animal Behavior Abstracts, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: This report aimed to compare group differences in social and non-social cognition in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia, and examine the influence of age and other factors on group differences.Methods: Literature searches were conducted in Pubmed and Web of Science from January 1980 to August 2022. Original research articles reporting objective measures of cognition were selected.Results: 57 articles involving 1864 patients with schizophrenia and 1716 patients with ASD have been included. Schizophrenia was associated with more severe non-social-cognitive impairment, particularly in fluency (g=0.47;CI[0.17-0.761) and processing speed domains (g=0.41;CI[0.20-0.621). Poorer performance in social cognition (Z = 3.68,p = 0.0002) and non-social cognition (Z = 2.48,p = 0.01) in schizophrenia were significantly related to older age. ASD was associated with more severe social cognitive impairment when groups were matched for non-social-cognition (g=-0.18, p = 0.04) or reasoning/problem solving (g=-0,62; CI [- 1,06- (-0.08)1.Discussion: While both disorders present with social and non-social cognitive impairments, the pattern and developmental trajectories of these deficits are different. The limitations included heterogeneity of the cognitive measures, and the lack of sufficient information about antipsychotic use.