Assessment and comparison of cognitive function in offsprings of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence syndrome

Abstract

Background: Cognitive functioning is essential for academic, social, and adaptive success. Offspring of individuals with psychiatric illnesses, particularly schizophrenia and alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS), are at increased risk of cognitive impairments due to genetic and environmental influences. Understanding the nature and extent of these deficits is critical for early identification and targeted interventions. Aim: To assess and compare cognitive functioning in the offspring of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 62 participants (31 in each group) aged 12 years and above, comprising offspring of patients with either schizophrenia or ADS. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20, employing Mann Whitney U tests and Pearson’s correlation analyses. Results: The schizophrenia-offspring group exhibited significantly lower scores in multiple cognitive domains compared to the ADS-offspring group. These included working memory (mean 56.09, p = 0.001), perceptual reasoning (mean 89.36, p = 0.003), and verbal comprehension (mean 90.64, p = 0.026). Full-Scale IQ also showed a near-significant difference (p = 0.058). Freedom from distractibility was notably lower in the schizophrenia group (mean 75.35,p = 0.005). MMSE scores did not differ significantly between the groups. Correlation analyses revealed that the duration of parental illness moderately influenced cognitive outcomes. Conclusion: Offspring of schizophrenia patients exhibit more pronounced cognitive deficits—especially in working memory, verbal comprehension, and executive function—than those of alcohol-dependent parents, indicating a greater heritable neurodevelopmental risk. Early screening with tools like WISC or WAIS-IV and targeted interventions are essential to reduce long-term academic and functional impairments in these high-risk groups.