Stage-dependent patterns of cognitive network connectivity in early psychosis

Cognitive impairments in early psychosis are common, yet prior studies have focused mainly on domain-specific deficits rather than inter-domain relationships. Analyzing cognitive network connectivity may uncover insights into early psychosis mechanisms. Cognitive functions were assessed from 2,518 participants, including 988 first-episode schizophrenia (FES), 767 clinical high-risk (CHR), and 763 healthy controls (HC), using the Chinese version of the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Results revealed a stage-dependent "dedifferentiation" pattern: mean inter-domain correlation increased from HC (0.28) to CHR (0.33) to FES (0.40). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a common "g" factor across groups, with significantly reduced strength in FES compared to CHR and HC. The reduction in the "g" factor was associated with increased connectivity and stronger inter-domain correlations. These findings highlight cognitive network dedifferentiation and "g" factor decline as key features of early psychosis.