Confirmatory Efficacy of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Early Schizophrenia: Results From a Multisite Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) is an 18-month comprehensive cognitive remediation intervention designed to improve cognition and functioning among patients with schizophrenia. The current study sought to confirm previously observed benefits of CET on cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the early course of the condition in a large multisite trial. METHODS: Overall, 102 outpatients with early-course schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 18 months of CET (N=58) or enriched supportive therapy (EST; N=44). Participants completed cognitive, social adjustment, and symptom assessments at baseline and at 9 and 18 months. Composite indices were calculated for these outcomes. Mixed-effects models investigated differential changes in outcomes between CET and EST. Because of a high attrition rate, sensitivity analyses of data from treatment completers (N=49) were conducted. RESULTS: The effects of CET on improved overall cognition were confirmed and tentatively confirmed for social cognition in both intent-to-treat and completer analyses, and beneficial effects on attention/vigilance were also observed. An effect of CET on social adjustment was not confirmed in the analyses, because both CET and EST groups had considerably improved social adjustment. Although not statistically significant, the between-group effect size for CET's effect on social adjustment doubled from the intent-to-treat (Cohen's d=0.23) to completer analyses (Cohen's d=0.51) (p=0.057). Both groups displayed similar symptom improvements. CONCLUSIONS: CET effectively improved cognition among patients with early-course schizophrenia. The functional benefits of CET appeared to increase with treatment retention. Further research is needed to understand predictors of attrition and mechanisms of change during CET for this population.

Human biodistribution and dosimetry of the D2/3 agonist 11C-N-propylnorapomorphine (11C-NPA) determined from PET.

UNLABELLED: We measured the whole-body distribution of intravenously injected (11)C-N-propylnorapomorphine ((11)C-NPA), a dopamine agonist PET tracer, in human subjects and determined the resulting absorbed radiation doses. METHODS: Six subjects (3 women, 3 men) were injected with (11)C-NPA (nominal dose, 370 MBq). A total of 9 consecutive whole-body PET scans were obtained for each subject. In addition, time-activity curves for 12 organs were determined, and residence times were computed for each subject. Dosimetry was determined for the various body organs and the whole body. RESULTS: The average NPA whole-body radiation dose was 3.17 x 10(-3) mSv per MBq of injected (11)C-NPA. The organ receiving the highest dose was the gallbladder wall, with an average of 2.81 x 10(-2) mSv.MBq(-1). CONCLUSION: On the basis of averaged dosimetry results, an administration of less than 1,780 MBq (<48 mCi) of (11)C-NPA yields an organ dose of under 50 mSv (5 rem) to all organs.

Cognitive enhancement therapy for adult autism spectrum disorder: Results of an 18-month randomized clinical trial.

Cognitive remediation is a promising approach to treating core cognitive deficits in adults with autism, but rigorously controlled trials of comprehensive interventions that target both social and non-social cognition over a sufficient period of time to impact functioning are lacking. This study examined the efficacy of cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) for improving core cognitive and employment outcomes in adult autism. Verbal adult outpatients with autism spectrum disorder (N = 54) were randomized to an 18-month, single-blind trial of CET, a cognitive remediation approach that integrates computer-based neurocognitive training with group-based training in social cognition, or an active enriched supportive therapy (EST) comparison focused on psychoeducation and condition management. Primary outcomes were composite indexes of neurocognitive and social-cognitive change. Competitive employment was a secondary outcome. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that CET produced significant differential increases in neurocognitive function relative to EST (d = .46, P = .013). Both CET and EST were associated with large social-cognitive improvements, with CET demonstrating an advantage at 9 (d = .58, P = 0.020), but not 18 months (d = .27, P = 0.298). Effects on employment indicated that participants treated with CET were significantly more likely to gain competitive employment than those in EST, OR = 6.21, P = 0.023, which was mediated by cognitive improvement. CET is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for core cognitive deficits in adult autism spectrum disorder. The treatment of cognitive impairments in this population can contribute to meaningful improvements in adult outcomes. Autism Res 2018, 11: 519-530. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET), an 18-month cognitive remediation intervention designed to improve thinking and social understanding, was found to be more effective than supportive therapy at improving mental quickness, attention, and employment in adults living with autism. Social understanding was equally improved in CET and supportive therapy. Cognitive remediation interventions are feasible and may confer significant functional benefits to adults with autism.

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy in substance misusing schizophrenia: results of an 18-month feasibility trial.

Substance use is a frequent problem in schizophrenia, and although many substance misusing patients with the disorder also experience considerable cognitive impairments, such individuals have been routinely excluded from clinical trials of cognitive remediation that could support their functional and addiction recoveries. This study conducted a small-scale feasibility trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) in substance misusing schizophrenia patients to assess the feasibility and efficacy of implementing comprehensive neurocognitive and social-cognitive remediation in this population. A total of 31 schizophrenia outpatients meeting addiction severity criteria for alcohol and/or cannabis use were randomized to 18months of CET or usual care. Feasibility findings indicated high degrees of satisfaction with CET, but also presented significant challenges in the recruitment and retention of substance misusing patients, with high levels of attrition (50%) over the study period, primarily due to positive symptom exacerbation. Intent-to-treat efficacy analyses showed large and significant improvements in neurocognition (d=.86), social cognition (d=1.13), and social adjustment (d=.92) favoring CET. Further, individuals treated with CET were more likely to reduce alcohol use (67% in CET vs. 25% in usual care) during treatment (p=.021). These results suggest that once engaged and stabilized, CET is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia who misuse alcohol and/or cannabis. Substance misusing patients who are able to engage in treatment may be able to benefit from cognitive remediation, and the treatment of cognitive impairments may help improve substance use outcomes among this underserved population.

Brief report: is cognitive rehabilitation needed in verbal adults with autism? Insights from initial enrollment in a trial of cognitive enhancement therapy.

Cognitive rehabilitation is an emerging set of potentially effective interventions for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder, yet the applicability of these approaches for "high functioning" adults who have normative levels of intelligence remains unexplored. This study examined the initial cognitive performance characteristics of 40 verbal adults with autism enrolled in a pilot trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy to investigate the need for cognitive rehabilitation in this population. Results revealed marked and broad deficits across neurocognitive and social-cognitive domains, despite above-average IQ. Areas of greatest impairment included processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and emotion perception and management. These findings indicate the need for comprehensive interventions designed to enhance cognition among verbal adults with autism who have intact intellectual functioning.

Cognitive enhancement therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorder: results of an 18-month feasibility study.

Adults with autism experience significant impairments in social and non-social information processing for which few treatments have been developed. This study conducted an 18-month uncontrolled trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), a comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention, in 14 verbal adults with autism spectrum disorder to investigate its feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy in treating these impairments. Results indicated that CET was satisfying to participants, with high treatment attendance and retention. Effects on cognitive deficits and social behavior were also large (d = 1.40-2.29) and statistically significant (all p < .001). These findings suggest that CET is a feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective intervention for remediating the social and non-social cognitive impairments in verbal adults with autism.