Anja Vaskinn

• Vaskinn, Anja; Haukvik, Unn Kristin Hansen & Friestad, Christine (2026). Autism Spectrum Disorders in Imprisoned Women: A Concise Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. ISSN 2195-7177. doi: 10.1007/s40489-026-00572-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Research suggests that autism rates may be higher in justice-involved populations than in the general population, but studies have focused on men. The aim of this concise systematic review was to report on the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in women serving prison sentences, and to describe their biopsychosocial and criminal history characteristics. The systematic search yielded only two papers, from the same study. It reported prevalence rates among adolescents in secure care in England and Wales at a specific date in 2016. There were no young women with an autism spectrum condition in the youth justice system. Studies of imprisoned women with autism are scarce. There is a need for future studies of this important issue.

• Vaskinn, Anja & Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari (2026). Cognition at baseline and relationships 10 years after a first episode schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 45. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2026.100433. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction Social and nonsocial cognition are important predictors of functioning among people with schizophrenia, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. It is unknown if this extends to functioning in close and intimate relationships. This study investigated if baseline cognition predicted relationship functioning ten years after a first episode of schizophrenia. Methods Twenty-two participants with a first episode of schizophrenia underwent baseline assessment with MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, providing scores for social and nonsocial cognition. Ten years later a clinical interview ascertained information about romantic relationship status and number of and frequency of contact with (talking, meeting) close friends. The predictive power of cognition for later relationships was examined with regression analyses. Results One finding was statistically significant. Nonsocial cognition predicted how often someone talked to close friends ten years later. Conclusions Baseline cognition, especially social cognition, had little impact on relationships ten years after a first episode of schizophrenia. Possible explanations are discussed.

• Walt, K. van der; Wootton, O.; Rokicki, Jaroslav; Vaskinn, Anja; Jonker, D. & Campbell, M. [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2025). Exploring the relationships between Early Childhood Adversity, Social Cognition, and Aggression in a South African Study of People Living with Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 42. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2025.100382. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  People living with schizophrenia (PLS) are at increased risk of being both victims and perpetrators of violence. Recent research suggests that social cognitive impairments may contribute to heightened aggression in schizophrenia. Childhood trauma, a well-established risk factor for both schizophrenia and aggression, is also linked to more severe cognitive deficits in PLS. Few studies have explored the relationships between childhood trauma, social cognition, and aggression in large sample sizes, particularly in low- and middle-income settings, where varying socioeconomic factors and exposure to violence may influence these associations. In this study, a subsample of participants (PLS = 585; controls = 882) from the Genomics of Schizophrenia in the South African Xhosa People study completed The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Penn Emotion Identification Test (ER), Life History of Aggression Questionnaire (LHA), and Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Group differences in CTQ, ER, LHA, and selected demographic and clinical factors were assessed using t-tests and chi-square tests. Multivariable linear regressions were employed to test for associations among CTQ, ER, and LHA. We found that PLS had significantly higher childhood trauma and lifetime aggression scores and poorer emotion recognition performance than controls. Higher childhood trauma was associated with higher lifetime aggression and worse emotion recognition performance. However, emotion recognition performance was not associated with lifetime aggression. In this setting, childhood trauma predicts lifetime aggression and poorer emotion recognition, but there is no evidence that emotion recognition ability is related to aggression.

• Calkova, Tereza; Vaskinn, Anja; Mørch-Johnsen, Lynn Egeland; Smelror, Runar; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø & Wortinger, Laura Anne [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2025). Early versus adult onset of schizophrenia: an examination of premorbid and current IQ. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 43, p. 100397–100397. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2025.100397. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Cognitive deficits are core findings in schizophrenia, but whether the severity of impairments is related to the age of onset remains unclear. We hypothesized that early onset schizophrenia (EOS; onset before age 19) is associated with lower IQ compared to adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS; onset from age 19). Methods We included 99 adult patients with EOS (age of onset: 15.3 ± 2.8 years), 282 adult patients with AOS (age of onset: 26.5 ± 7.4 years), and 863 adult healthy controls (HC). We assessed current IQ with Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and estimated premorbid IQ with National Adult Reading Test (NART). Results Both patient groups had lower current IQ than HC ( p < 0.001). Full-scale ( p = 0.004), performance ( p = 0.003) and verbal ( p = 0.011) current IQ were significantly lower in EOS than in AOS, with 5 IQ units difference for all three measures. EOS and AOS did not differ in premorbid IQ, but EOS showed a steeper IQ decline from premorbid levels than AOS (11.4 vs. 8 IQ units, respectively, p = 0.013). Conclusion EOS had lower current IQ than AOS, but did not differ in premorbid IQ, suggesting a larger decline from premorbid IQ levels. This could imply different neurodevelopmental processes underlying cognitive dysfunction related to age of onset in schizophrenia, underscoring the necessity for further inquiry into the mechanisms driving this decline and strategies for its prevention.

• Grimstad, Kristoffer; Sørensen, Håkon; Vaskinn, Anja; Mohn, Hanne Christine; Glastad, Stine Holmstul & Andreassen, Ole [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2025). Subjective cognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Investigation of group differences and associations with objective cognition and clinical characteristics using a novel measure of subjective cognition. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 40. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2025.100345. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Løvgren, André; Andreassen, Ole & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2025). Social cognitive training among individuals with schizophrenia: Identifying responders to treatment. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 40. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2025.100350. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this follow-up study of a previous randomized controlled trial of targeted facial affect recognition training among individuals with schizophrenia, reliable change indices (RCIs) were employed to identify responders to treatment. The original study found improved theory of mind at 3-month follow-up. The current study included 15 participants who received the intervention and who completed all three assessment points in the original study. Six of them had RCIs over the cutoff (≥+1.64), indicating that they had a clinically meaningful and statistically reliable improvement in ToM. The responders had significantly higher psychotic symptom level at baseline, but no other group differences between responders and nonresponders were identified. The study found no support for suggested moderators of treatment effect of social cognitive training (sex, education). As no consistently replicated barriers to treatment gains have been identified, we suggest that social cognitive training, where available, should be offered to interested clients.

• Sæther, Linn Sofie; Szabo, Attila; Akkouh, Ibrahim Ahmed; Haatveit, Beathe; Mohn, Christine & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2024). Cognitive and inflammatory heterogeneity in severe mental illness: Translating findings from blood to brain. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. ISSN 0889-1591. 118, p. 287–299. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.014. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Recent findings link cognitive impairment and inflammatory-immune dysregulation in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BD) spectrum disorders. However, heterogeneity and translation between the periphery and central (blood-to-brain) mechanisms remains a challenge. Starting with a large SZ, BD and healthy control cohort (n = 1235), we aimed to i) identify candidate peripheral markers (n = 25) associated with cognitive domains (n = 9) and elucidate heterogenous immune-cognitive patterns, ii) evaluate the regulation of candidate markers using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocytes and neural progenitor cells (n = 10), and iii) evaluate candidate marker messenger RNA expression in leukocytes using microarray in available data from a subsample of the main cohort (n = 776), and in available RNA-sequencing deconvolution analysis of postmortem brain samples (n = 474) from the CommonMind Consortium (CMC). We identified transdiagnostic subgroups based on covariance between cognitive domains (measures of speed and verbal learning) and peripheral markers reflecting inflammatory response (CRP, sTNFR1, YKL-40), innate immune activation (MIF) and extracellular matrix remodelling (YKL-40, CatS). Of the candidate markers there was considerable variance in secretion of YKL-40 in iPSC-derived astrocytes and neural progenitor cells in SZ compared to HC. Further, we provide evidence of dysregulated RNA expression of genes encoding YKL-40 and related signalling pathways in a high neuroinflammatory subgroup in the postmortem brain samples. Our findings suggest a relationship between peripheral inflammatory-immune activity and cognitive impairment, and highlight YKL-40 as a potential marker of cognitive functioning in a subgroup of individuals with severe mental illness.

• Bang, Nina; Pettersen, Johanne Hagen; Nesset, Merete Berg; Rasmussen, Kirsten; Dahl, Hilde & Tesli, Natalia [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2024). The Startle Response and Prepulse Inhibition in Psychosis and Violence: A Combined Electromyography and Electroencephalography Study. Schizophrenia Bulletin Open. 6(1). doi: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgae031. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is a pressing need for biomarkers of violent behavior risk in psychosis. Previous research indicates that electrophysiological measures of automatic defensive reactions may have potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between violent behavior in individuals with and without psychosis and electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG) responses to startling auditory stimuli. Electromyography and EEG were recorded during an auditory startle paradigm from healthy controls (HC, n = 211), individuals with psychosis and a history of violent behavior (violent-PSY, n = 18), individuals with psychosis without a history of violence (nonviolent-PSY, n = 32), and individuals with a history of violence without psychosis (violent non-PSY, n = 22). We estimated the auditory startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) using EMG (ie, EMGASR and EMGPPI) and the auditory-evoked potential (ie, AEPASR and AEPPPI) of the EEG. There were no significant effects of group on the EMGASR (P = .10) or the 30-, 60-, and 120-ms prepulse + pulse EMGPPI amplitudes (P = .11, P = .19, and P = .50, respectively). The N1 amplitude of the AEPASR was reduced in the violent-PSY group (P < .001) and the nonviolent-PSY group (P = .015) compared with HC. The P2 amplitude of the AEPASR was reduced in violent-PSY relative to nonviolent-PSY (P = .003), violent non-PSY (P = .016), and HC (P < .001). Together, these results show that EEG-based neural responses to startling auditory stimuli are promising biomarkers of violence risk in psychosis.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Ueland, Torill; Melle, Ingrid & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2024). Sex differences in social cognition among individuals with schizophrenia and in healthy control participants: a secondary analysis of published data. Archives of Women's Mental Health. ISSN 1434-1816. doi: 10.1007/s00737-024-01422-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose Sex differences are present among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. Whether these differences extend to social cognition is unclear. In this study, we investigated sex differences in emotion perception, social perception and theory of mind (ToM). Methods We examined sex differences between males and females with schizophrenia on five social cognitive tests. Healthy male and female control participants were included to examine if any sex difference was illness-specific. Emotion perception was measured with Pictures of Facial Affect (PFA) and Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio); social perception with the Relationships Across Domains Test (RAD); and ToM with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and Hinting Task. Results Two-way analyses of variance revealed overall group differences for all tests, with healthy controls outperforming individuals with schizophrenia. Significant sex effects were present for PFA and Hinting Task. There were no significant interaction effects. Within-group independent samples t-tests yielded one significant sex difference, i.e., among healthy controls for PFA. Conclusions Females had better facial emotion perception than males. This sex difference was statistically significant among healthy controls and medium-large among individuals experiencing schizophrenia. There were no significant sex differences for other social cognitive domains. The study did not find evidence for a general female advantage in social cognition.

• Mohn, Christine; Ueland, Torill; Haatveit, Beathe; Sæther, Linn Sofie; Lagerberg, Trine Vik & Andreassen, Ole A. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Neurocognitive function and delusion severity in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia Research. ISSN 0920-9964. 270, p. 172–177. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.06.028. Full text in Research Archive
• Sæther, Linn Sofie; Ueland, Thor; Haatveit, Beathe; Vaskinn, Anja; Flaaten, Camilla Bärthel & Mohn, Hanne Christine [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2024). Longitudinal course of inflammatory-cognitive subgroups across first treatment severe mental illness and healthy controls. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. 54, p. 3519–3529. doi: 10.1017/S003329172400206X. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background - While inflammation is associated with cognitive impairment in severe mental illnesses (SMI), there is substantial heterogeneity and evidence of transdiagnostic subgroups across schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BD) spectrum disorders. There is however, limited knowledge about the longitudinal course of this relationship.<p> <p>Methods - Systemic inflammation (C-Reactive Protein, CRP) and cognition (nine cognitive domains) was measured from baseline to 1 year follow-up in first treatment SZ and BD (n = 221), and healthy controls (HC, n = 220). Linear mixed models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes separately in CRP and cognitive domains specific to diagnostic status (SZ, BD, HC). Hierarchical clustering was applied on the entire sample to investigate the longitudinal course of transdiagnostic inflammatory-cognitive subgroups.<p> <p>Results - There were no case-control differences or change in CRP from baseline to follow-up. We confirm previous observations of case-control differences in cognition at both time-points and domain specific stability/improvement over time regardless of diagnostic status. We identified transdiagnostic inflammatory-cognitive subgroups at baseline with differing demographics and clinical severity. Despite improvement in cognition, symptoms and functioning, the higher inflammation – lower cognition subgroup (75% SZ; 48% BD; 38% HC) had sustained inflammation and lower cognition, more symptoms, and lower functioning (SMI only) at follow-up. This was in comparison to a lower inflammation – higher cognition subgroup (25% SZ, 52% BD, 62% HC), where SMI participants showed cognitive functioning at HC level with a positive clinical course.<p> <p>Conclusions - Our findings support heterogenous and transdiagnostic inflammatory-cognitive subgroups that are stable over time, and may benefit from targeted interventions.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Rokicki, Jaroslav; Bell, Christina; Tesli, Natalia; Bang, Nina & Hjell, Gabriela [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). Violent Offending in Males With or Without Schizophrenia: A Role for Social Cognition? Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 50(3), p. 663–672. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbad151. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background and Hypothesis Reduced social cognition has been reported in individuals who have committed interpersonal violence. It is unclear if individuals with schizophrenia and a history of violence have larger impairments than violent individuals without psychosis and non-violent individuals with schizophrenia. We examined social cognition in two groups with violent offenses, comparing their performance to non-violent individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Study Design Two social cognitive domains were assessed in four groups: men with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder with (SSD-V, n = 27) or without (SSD-NV, n = 42) a history of violence, incarcerated men serving preventive detention sentences (V, n = 22), and healthy male controls (HC, n = 76). Theory of mind (ToM) was measured with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), body emotion perception with Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio) test. Study Results Kruskal–Wallis H-tests revealed overall group differences for social cognition. SSD-V had a global and clinically significant social cognitive impairment. V had a specific impairment, for ToM. Binary logistic regressions predicting violence category membership from social cognition and psychosis (SSD status) were conducted. The model with best fit, explaining 18%–25% of the variance, had ToM as the only predictor. Conclusions Social cognitive impairment was present in individuals with a history of violence, with larger and more widespread impairment seen in schizophrenia. ToM predicted violence category membership, psychosis did not. The results suggest a role for social cognition in understanding interpersonal violence.

• Haatveit, Beathe; Westlye, Lars Tjelta; Vaskinn, Anja; Flaaten, Camilla Bärthel; Mohn, Hanne Christine & Bjella, Thomas [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2023). Intra- and inter-individual cognitive variability in schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorder: an investigation across multiple cognitive domains. Schizophrenia. 9(1). doi: 10.1038/s41537-023-00414-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There is substantial cognitive heterogeneity among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorders (BD). More knowledge about the magnitude and clinical correlates of performance variability could improve our understanding of cognitive impairments. Using double generalized linear models (DGLMs) we investigated cognitive mean and variability differences between patients with SZ (n = 905) and BD spectrum disorders (n = 522), and healthy controls (HC, n = 1170) on twenty-two variables. The analysis revealed significant case-control differences on 90% of the variables. Compared to HC, patients showed larger intra-individual (within subject) variability across tests and larger inter-individual (between subject) variability in measures of fine-motor speed, mental processing speed, and inhibitory control (SZ and BD), and in verbal learning and memory and intellectual functioning (SZ). In SZ, we found that lager intra -and inter (on inhibitory control and speed functions) individual variability, was associated with lower functioning and more negative symptoms. Inter-individual variability on single measures of memory and intellectual function was additionally associated with disorganized and positive symptoms, and use of antidepressants. In BD, there were no within-subject associations with symptom severity. However, greater inter-individual variability (primarily on inhibitory control and speeded functions) was associated with lower functioning, more negative -and disorganized symptoms, earlier age at onset, longer duration of illness, and increased medication use. These results highlight larger individual differences in patients compared to controls on various cognitive domains. Further investigations of the causes and correlates of individual differences in cognitive function are warranted.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Nymo, Katharina Sørvang; Zamparini, Manuel; Girolamo, Giovanni de; Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari & Rund, Bjørn Rishovd (2023). The “zipper model of empathy” applied to violence in schizophrenia: A search for social cognitive underpinnings of lack of empathic behavior. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 124. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152391. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The “zipper model of empathy” has been proposed for psychopathy. It postulates that empathic behavior may fail to arise due to impaired facial emotion recognition. In this study, we examined if the model may be of relevance for schizophrenia. Methods In a sample of participants with schizophrenia and a history of severe interpersonal violence, associations between measures of social cognition (emotion recognition, theory of mind) and aspects of psychopathy (lack of empathy, lack of remorse) were investigated. A non-violent sample experiencing schizophrenia served as a control group. Results Correlation analyses revealed a specific and statistically significant association between facial emotion recognition and lack of empathy in the violent sample. Follow-up analyses identified that neutral emotions were of particular importance. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that impairments in facial emotion recognition predicted levels of empathy in the violent sample experiencing schizophrenia. Conclusions Our results suggest that the “zipper model of empathy” may be relevant for schizophrenia. The findings further point to the potential benefit of including social cognitive training in the treatment of persons with schizophrenia and a history of interpersonal aggression.

• Sahl, André C.; Rognlien, Henning F.; Andreassen, Ole; Melle, Ingrid; Ueland, Torill & Vaskinn, Anja (2022). Theory of mind in schizophrenia: a comparison of subgroups with low and high IQ. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2022.2106512. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Social cognitive impairment is common in schizophrenia, but it is unclear if it is present in individuals with high IQ. This study compared theory of mind (ToM) in schizophrenia participants with low or high IQ to healthy controls. Methods: One hundred and nineteen participants (71 healthy controls, 17 high IQ (IQ ≥115), and 31 low IQ (IQ ≤95) schizophrenia participants) were assessed with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, providing scores for total, cognitive, and affective ToM, along with overmentalizing, undermentalizing, and no-mentalizing errors. IQ was measured with Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; clinical symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results: Healthy controls performed better than the low IQ schizophrenia group for all ToM scores, and better than the high IQ schizophrenia group for the total score and under- and no-mentalizing errors. The high IQ group made fewer overmentalizing errors and had better total and cognitive ToM than the low IQ group. Their number of overmentalizing errors was indistinguishable from healthy controls. Conclusion: Global ToM impairment was present in the low IQ schizophrenia group. Overmentalizing was not present in the high IQ group and appears related to lower IQ. Intact higher-level reasoning may prevent the high IQ group from making overmentalizing errors, through self-monitoring or inhibition. We propose that high IQ patients are chiefly impaired in lower-level ToM, whereas low IQ patients also have impaired higher-level ToM. Conceivably, this specific impairment could help explain the lower functioning reported in persons with intact IQ.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren & Haatveit, Beathe (2022). Social cognitive heterogeneity in schizophrenia: A cluster analysis. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 30. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100264. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study examined social cognitive heterogeneity in Norwegian sample of individuals with schizophrenia (n = 82). They were assessed with three social cognitive tests: Emotion in Biological Motion (emotion processing), Relationships Across Domains (social perception), and Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (theory of mind). Hierarchical and k-means cluster analyses using standardized scores on these three tests provided two clusters. The first cluster (68 %) had mild social cognitive impairments (2 standard deviations below healthy comparison participants). Validity of the two social cognitive subgroups was indicated by significant differences in functioning, symptom load and nonsocial cognition. Our study shows that social cognitive tests can be used for clinical and cognitive subtyping. This is of potential relevance for treatment.

• Flaaten, Camilla Bärthel; Melle, Ingrid; Gardsjord, Erlend Strand; Bjella, Thomas; Engen, Magnus Johan & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2022). Course of intellectual functioning in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A 10-year follow-up study. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. p. 1–9. doi: 10.1017/S0033291721004645. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Intellectual functioning (IQ) is lower in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls, with bipolar patients intermediate between the two. Declines in IQ mark the onset of schizophrenia, while stability is generally found post-onset. There are to date few studies on long-term IQ development in bipolar disorder. This study presents 10-year follow-up data on IQ, including premorbid IQ estimates, to track the developmental course from pre-onset levels to long-term outcomes in both patient groups compared to healthy controls. Methods We included 139 participants with schizophrenia, 76 with bipolar disorder and 125 healthy controls. Mixed model analyses were used to estimate developmental slopes for IQ scores from estimated premorbid level (NART IQ) through baseline (WASI IQ) measured within 12 months post-onset, to 10-year follow-up (WASI IQ), with pairwise group comparisons. The best fit was found using a model with a breakpoint at baseline assessment. Results Only the schizophrenia group had significant declines from estimated premorbid to baseline IQ levels compared to controls. When comparing patient groups, schizophrenia patients had steeper declines than the bipolar group. Increases in IQ were found in all groups over the follow-up period. Conclusions Trajectories of IQ from premorbid level to 10-year follow-up indicated declines from estimated premorbid level to illness onset in both patient groups, followed by increases during the follow-up period. Schizophrenia patients had a steeper decline than bipolar patients. During follow-up, increases indicate developmental improvement for both patient groups, but with a maintained lag compared to healthy controls due to lower premorbid levels.

• Andreou, Dimitrios; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø; Nerland, Stener; Ueland, Torill; Vaskinn, Anja & Haukvik, Unn Kristin Hansen [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2022). Herpes simplex virus 1 infection on grey matter and general intelligence in severe mental illness. Translational Psychiatry. 12(1). doi: 10.1038/s41398-022-02044-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are severe mental illnesses (SMI) linked to both genetic and environmental factors. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is a common neurotropic pathogen which after the primary infection establishes latency with periodic reactivations. We hypothesized that the latent HSV1 infection is associated with brain structural abnormalities and cognitive impairment, especially in SMI. We included 420 adult patients with SMI (schizophrenia or bipolar spectrum) and 481 healthy controls. Circulating HSV1 immunoglobulin G concentrations were measured with immunoassays. We measured the total grey matter volume (TGMV), cortical, subcortical, cerebellar and regional cortical volumes based on T1-weighted MRI scans processed in FreeSurfer v6.0.0. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. Seropositive patients had significantly smaller TGMV than seronegative patients (642 cm 3 and 654 cm 3 , respectively; p  = 0.019) and lower IQ (104 and 107, respectively; p  = 0.018). No TGMV or IQ differences were found between seropositive and seronegative healthy controls. Post-hoc analysis showed that (a) in both schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum, seropositive patients had similarly smaller TGMV than seronegative patients, whereas the HSV1-IQ association was driven by the schizophrenia spectrum group, and (b) among all patients, seropositivity was associated with smaller total cortical ( p  = 0.016), but not subcortical or cerebellar grey matter volumes, and with smaller left caudal middle frontal, precentral, lingual, middle temporal and banks of superior temporal sulcus regional cortical grey matter volumes. The results of this cross-sectional study indicate that HSV1 may be an environmental factor associated with brain structural abnormalities and cognitive impairment in SMI.

• Engen, Magnus Johan; Vaskinn, Anja; Melle, Ingrid; Færden, Ann; Lyngstad, Siv Hege & Flaaten, Camilla Bärthel [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2022). Cognitive and Global Functioning in Patients With First-Episode Psychosis Stratified by Level of Negative Symptoms. A 10-Year Follow-Up Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 13:841057, p. 1–13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.841057. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Negative and cognitive symptoms are core features of schizophrenia that are correlated in cross-sectional designs. To further explore the relationship between these critical symptom dimensions we use a method for stratifying participants based on level and persistence of negative symptoms from absent to sustained levels over a 10-year follow-up period. We investigate associations with cognitive performance and level of global functioning. First-episode psychosis (FEP) participants ( n = 102) and healthy controls ( n = 116) were assessed at baseline and follow-up. A cognitive battery consisting of 14 tests derived into four domains and a composite score were used in the analyses. FEP participants were stratified based on negative symptom items from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-R) into four groups with either no, mild, transitory or sustained symptoms over the 10-year follow-up period. Global functioning was measured with Global Assessment of Functioning Scale-Split version. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were used to explore between-group differences in level and course of cognitive performance as global functioning. A multivariate analysis with four cognitive domains as dependent variables, showed significant group differences in performance when including healthy controls and the negative symptom groups. The groups with no and mild negative symptoms outperformed the group with sustained levels of negative symptoms on verbal learning and memory. The group with no negative symptoms also outperformed the group with sustained negative symptoms on the cognitive composite score. Significant improvements on verbal learning and memory, executive functioning and the cognitive composite were detected for the entire sample. No differences in cognitive course were detected. There was a significant improvement in global functioning as measured by the GAF-F over the follow-up period ( p &amp;lt; 0.001), without any time x group interactions ( p = 0.25). Participants with sustained negative symptoms had a significantly lower level of global functioning at 10-year follow-up with an additional independent effect of the cognitive composite score, compared to all other groups. Individuals with an early illness course characterized by absence of negative symptoms form a group with better cognitive and functional outcomes than the impairments typically associated with schizophrenia. Individuals with sustained levels of negative symptoms on the other hand may require a combined focus on both negative and cognitive symptoms.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil; Melle, Ingrid; Andreassen, Ole A. & Friis, Svein (2021). The factor structure of social cognition in schizophrenia: Weak evidence for separable domains. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 26, p. 1–4. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2021.100208. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study examined the factor structure of social cognition in a Norwegian sample of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 83). Eight variables from three social cognitive tests from three theoretical domains were included: emotion processing, social perception and theory of mind. Factor analysis with maximum likelihood extraction and oblique rotation resulted in two factors using Kaiser's criterion. Although the two-factor model had better fit than a unifactorial model, it did not represent the data well. Two social cognitive variables did not load on either factor. The two extracted factors did not correspond to an expected distinction between low and high level of processing or between affective and cognitive processes. A non-negligible number of nonredundant residuals between observed and computed correlations suggested poor model fit. In conclusion, this study failed to identify separable dimensions of social cognition in spite of including measures from different theoretical domains.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Torgalsbøen, Anne Kari & Rund, Bjørn Rishovd (2021). Childhood trauma, social cognition and schizophrenia: Specific association between physical neglect and cognitive theory of mind in homicide offenders. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114093. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Schizophrenia is associated with a small, but increased risk of violent behavior, including homicide. Violent individuals with schizophrenia have elevated rates of childhood trauma and substantial social cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to examine if childhood trauma is related to social cognition in homicide offenders with schizophrenia. We recruited 26 individuals with schizophrenia sentenced to compulsory mental care for homicide/attempted homicide and 28 non-violent schizophrenia controls. They filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), providing scores for physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect. Social cognition was assessed with two measures of emotion processing (Emotion in Biological Motion, Pictures of Facial Affect) and two theory of mind (ToM) tests (Hinting Task, Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition: MASC). Spearman's rho correlation coefficients were computed, and significant results followed up with partial correlation analyses controlling for IQ. Three associations were statistically significant, all in the homicide group; between CTQ physical neglect and cognitive ToM assessed with Hinting Task and with MASC, and between CTQ emotional neglect and Hinting Task. Only the first remained significant after controlling for IQ, indicating a specific association between physical neglect and cognitive ToM in homicide offenders with schizophrenia.

• Friestad, Christine & Vaskinn, Anja (2021). An exploration of theory of mind performance among men convicted of rape. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 62(4), p. 476–483. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12732. Full text in Research Archive
• Andreou, Dimitrios; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø; Bakke, Laura A Wortinger; Engen, Kristine; Vaskinn, Anja & Ueland, Torill [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Cytomegalovirus infection and IQ in patients with severe mental illness and healthy individuals. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113929. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent adults is usually asymptomatic, but results in lifelong latency. Infection occurring congenitally or in immunodeficiency can lead to cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate the associations between CMV exposure and intelligence quotient (IQ) in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SZS), bipolar spectrum disorders (BDS) and healthy controls (HC). CMV immunoglobulin G antibody concentrations were measured by immunoassay and expressed as dichotomous measures (seropositive/CMV+ vs. seronegative/CMV-). Based on a significant CMV-by-diagnosis-by-sex interaction on IQ, we investigated main and interaction effects of CMV and sex on IQ in each diagnostic category. Significant CMV-by-sex interactions were found in patient groups. In SZS, CMV+ female patients (n = 50) had significantly lower IQ than CMV- female patients (n = 33), whereas CMV+ (n = 48) and CMV- (n = 45) male patients did not differ in IQ. In BDS, CMV+ (n = 49) and CMV- (n = 37) female patients did not differ in IQ, whereas CMV+ male patients (n = 33) had significantly higher IQ than CMV- male patients (n = 32). Among HC, CMV+ (n = 138) and CMV- (n = 118) male participants as well as CMV+ (n = 125) and CMV- (n = 93) female participants did not differ in IQ. Our findings suggest that CMV exposure may affect IQ in patients with severe mental illness but not HC.

• Wortinger, Laura Anne; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø; Barth, Claudia; Nerland, Stener; Smelror, Runar Elle & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2021). Significant association between intracranial volume and verbal intellectual abilities in patients with schizophrenia and a history of birth asphyxia. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. p. 1–10. doi: 10.1017/S0033291721000489. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The etiology of schizophrenia (SZ) is proposed to include an interplay between a genetic risk for disease development and the biological environment of pregnancy and birth, where early adversities may contribute to the poorer developmental outcome. We investigated whether a history of birth asphyxia (ASP) moderates the relationship between intracranial volume (ICV) and intelligence in SZ, bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls (HC). Methods Two hundred seventy-nine adult patients (18–42 years) on the SZ and BD spectrums and 216 HC were evaluated for ASP based on information from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate ICV and intelligence quotient (IQ) assessment using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). Multiple linear regressions were used for analyses. Results We found a significant three-way interaction (ICV × ASP × diagnosis) on the outcome variable, IQ, indicating that the correlation between ICV and IQ was stronger in patients with SZ who experienced ASP compared to SZ patients without ASP. This moderation by ASP was not found in BD or HC groups. In patients with SZ, the interaction between ICV and a history of the ASP was specifically related to the verbal subcomponent of IQ as measured by WASI. Conclusions The significant positive association between ICV and IQ in patients with SZ who had experienced ASP might indicate abnormal neurodevelopment. Our findings give support for ICV together with verbal intellectual abilities as clinically relevant markers that can be added to prediction tools to enhance evaluations of SZ risk.

• Feyer, Frida Karine; Andersson, Stein; Büchmann, Camilla Bakkalia; Melle, Ingrid; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Vaskinn, Anja (2020). Social perception predicts awareness of illness in persons with schizophrenia. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. ISSN 0022-3018. 208(9), p. 701–705. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001185. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Lack of clinical insight in patients with schizophrenia is an obstacle to optimal treatment. Social cognition is one of several variables central to insight deficits in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical insight in relation to one domain of social cognition, social perception, while controlling for effects of nonsocial cognition and symptom severity. Clinical insight was measured in 55 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, using the Birchwood Insight Scale. Relationships across domains were used to assess social perception. Social perception predicted one of three subscales of clinical insight, “awareness of illness,” and was the only unique contributor to this subscale. This indicates that social perception is linked to clinical insight through awareness of illness. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between social and nonsocial cognition and symptoms in relation to clinical insight.

• Engen, Magnus Johan; Lyngstad, Siv Hege; Ueland, Torill; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Vaskinn, Anja & Smeland, Olav Bjerkehagen [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2020). Polygenic scores for schizophrenia and general cognitive ability: associations with six cognitive domains, premorbid intelligence, and cognitive composite score in individuals with a psychotic disorder and in healthy controls. Translational Psychiatry. 10:416(416), p. 1–9. doi: 10.1038/s41398-020-01094-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Cognitive impairments are considered core features in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Cognitive impairments are, to a lesser degree, also documented in healthy first-degree relatives. Although recent studies have shown (negative) genetic correlations between schizophrenia and general cognitive ability, the association between polygenic risk for schizophrenia and individual cognitive phenotypes remains unclear. We here investigated the association between a polygenic score for schizophrenia (SCZPGS) and six well-defined cognitive domains, in addition to a composite measure of cognitive ability and a measure of premorbid intellectual ability in 731 participants with a psychotic disorder and 851 healthy controls. We also investigated the association between a PGS for general cognitive ability (COGPGS) and the same cognitive domains in the same sample. We found no significant associations between the SCZPGS and any cognitive phenotypes, in either patients with a psychotic disorder or healthy controls. For COGPGS we observed stronger associations with cognitive phenotypes in healthy controls than in participants with psychotic disorders. In healthy controls, the association between COGPGS (at the p value threshold of ≥0.01) and working memory remained significant after Bonferroni correction (β = 0.12, p = 8.6 × 10−5). Altogether, the lack of associations between SCZPGS and COGPGS with cognitive performance in participants with psychotic disorders suggests that either environmental factors or unassessed genetic factors play a role in the development of cognitive impairments in psychotic disorders. Working memory should be further studied as an important cognitive phenotype.

• Sjølie, Charlotte; Meyn, Emilie K.; Raudeberg, Rune; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Vaskinn, Anja (2020). Nonsocial cognitive underpinnings of theory of mind in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 289. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113055. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Social cognition is a mediator between nonsocial cognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia. However, the relationship between specific nonsocial cognitive and social cognitive domains is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate which specific nonsocial cognitive domains best predict theory of mind (ToM) performance in schizophrenia. We indexed ToM by a composite score of the video-based Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition test (MASCtot) in a sample of 91 individuals with schizophrenia. Nonsocial cognition was measured with the nonsocial cognitive subtests of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI IQ). Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were applied. We found statistically significant bivariate associations between MASCtot and five nonsocial cognitive tests, measuring intelligence, speed of processing, verbal or visual memory, and non-verbal working memory. Together, they accounted for 17% of the variation in MASCtot, but none of the five tests made significant unique contributions to MASCtot in the regression analysis. Our results confirm that nonsocial cognition and ToM are associated, albeit distinct, constructs. The findings suggest that cognitive remediation must include social cognitive targets in order to achieve improved ToM and better functioning.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Hauger, Lisa Evju & Bjørnebekk, Astrid (2020). Theory of mind in users of anabolic androgenic steroids. Psychopharmacology. ISSN 0033-3158. doi: 10.1007/s00213-020-05603-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Rationale Anabolic androgenic steroids are used to improve physical performance or increase lean muscle mass. About one-third of users develop a dependency syndrome, which is characterized by elevated rates of psychopathology, cognitive impairments, and aggressive and antisocial behaviors. The mechanisms behind these intra- and interpersonal problems are not known. Objective To examine theory of mind (ToM), i.e., the ability to infer the mental state of others, in users of anabolic androgenic steroids. Reduced ToM may be one factor underlying the interpersonal problems that have been reported with prolonged use of anabolic androgenic steroids. Methods The Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) was used to assess ToM. Study participants were male/female weightlifters who used anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS, n  = 34/9), who were dependent on anabolic androgenic steroids (AASdep, n  = 44/7), and a non-using weightlifting comparison group (WLC, n  = 69/16). Results Analyses of variance showed that the AASdep group performed significantly worse than the WLC group, for all MASC measures (total ToM, cognitive ToM, affective ToM, overmentalizing/undermentalizing errors). Sex and sex x group interaction effects were non-significant. Conclusions Male and female weightlifters who were dependent on anabolic androgenic steroids had impaired ToM. Their reduced social cognition may be one contributing factor to the elevated rates of antisocial behavior reported in this population.

• Vaskinn, Anja & Horan, William P (2020). Social Cognition and Schizophrenia: Unresolved Issues and New Challenges in a Maturing Field of Research. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa034. Full text in Research Archive
• Laskemoen, Jannicke Fjæra; Aas, Monica; Vaskinn, Anja; Berg, Akiah Ottesen; Lunding, Synve Hoffart & Barrett, Elizabeth Ann [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Sleep disturbance mediates the link between childhood trauma and clinical outcome in severe mental disorders. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. p. 1–10. doi: 10.1017/S0033291720000914. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The experience of childhood trauma is linked to more severe symptoms and poorer functioning in severe mental disorders; however, the mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. We investigate the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep disturbances in severe mental disorders including the role of sleep disturbances in mediating the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and poorer functioning. Methods In total, 766 participants with schizophrenia-spectrum (n = 418) or bipolar disorders (n = 348) were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Sleep disturbances were assessed through the sleep items in the self-reported Inventory of Depressive Symptoms. Clinical symptoms and functioning were assessed with The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Mediation analyses using ordinary least squares regression were conducted to test if sleep disturbances mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and poorer functioning. Results Symptoms of insomnia, but not hypersomnia or delayed sleep phase, were significantly more frequent in participants with childhood trauma experiences compared to those without. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms. Insomnia symptoms partly mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of positive and depressive/anxiety symptoms, in addition to poorer functioning. Conclusion We found frequent co-occurrence of childhood trauma history and current insomnia in severe mental disorders. Insomnia partly mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and functional impairment.

• Hjelseng, Ingrid Varvin; Vaskinn, Anja; Ueland, Torill; Lunding, Synve Hoffart; Reponen, Elina Johanna & Steen, Nils Eiel [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Childhood Trauma Is Associated With Poorer Social Functioning in Severe Mental Disorders Both During an Active Illness Phase and in Remission. Schizophrenia Research. ISSN 0920-9964. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.03.015. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Haatveit, Beathe; Melle, Ingrid; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Ueland, Torill & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2020). Cognitive Heterogeneity Across Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Cluster Analysis of Intellectual Trajectories. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. ISSN 1355-6177. 26(9), p. 860–872. doi: 10.1017/S1355617720000442. Full text in Research Archive
• Sæther, Linn Sofie; Roelfs, Daniël Thomas Heimen; Moberget, Torgeir; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn & Jönsson, Erik Gunnar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Exploring neurophysiological markers of visual perspective taking: Methodological considerations. International Journal of Psychophysiology. ISSN 0167-8760. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.12.006. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rationale: For visual perspective taking (VPT) using the avatar task, examinations of neural processes using event related potentials (ERP) indicate a distinction between an early posterior perspective calculation process (P3) and a later frontal process (LFSW) managing perspective conflict. While it is unknown if these neural processes are affected in clinical populations, it is unclear if the avatar task can be applied to this group, due to the long duration and sensitivity to data loss. Thus, we performed a methodological study of the avatar task, testing the feasibility of a shortened experimental paradigm. Objective: To investigate whether previously reported behavioural and ERP effects in the avatar task can also be seen if analysing all trials (matching/non-matching) jointly, and whether they remain robust if only a subset of the data is analysed. Method: Healthy individuals (n = 20) completed the avatar task with ERP measurement. ERP components (P3, LFSW) and behavioural data were investigated by A) comparing use of only matching trials (n = 384) versus all trials (n = 768), and B) examining if reduced duration of assessment, by analysing only a subset of the data, impacts ERP findings. Results: We observed minimal differences when analysing data from only matching trial types compared to all trial types. Further, ERP amplitudes and latency findings were replicated when analysing only a subset of the data. Conclusions: The duration of the avatar task can be reduced to avoid long testing times, thus making it better suited for use in clinical populations.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Melle, Ingrid; Aas, Monica & Ottesen, Akiah (2020). Sexual abuse and physical neglect in childhood are associated with affective theory of mind in adults with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 23. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2020.100189. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Whereas childhood trauma is associated with reduced nonsocial cognition in schizophrenia, research on the relationship between childhood trauma and social cognition is limited and mixed. The aim of this study was to examine the association between childhood trauma and theory of mind (ToM) in persons with schizophrenia (n = 68) compared to healthy control participants (n = 70). Childhood trauma was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), providing information on physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect. ToM was indexed by the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), which yields scores for total, cognitive and affective ToM, and for three error types (overmentalizing, undermentalizing, no mentalizing). Persons with schizophrenia had elevated rates of childhood trauma and lower ToM scores than healthy controls. In the schizophrenia group, associations between sexual abuse and affective ToM was statistically significant. In regression analyses, physical neglect was found to be the strongest predictor of affective ToM. In healthy controls, childhood trauma was not associated with ToM. Follow-up analyses comparing individuals with/without clinically significant childhood trauma, confirmed the findings for the schizophrenia group. No causal inferences can be made in this cross-sectional study, but the results suggest an illness-specific association between both sexual abuse and physical neglect in childhood, and adult affective ToM in individuals with schizophrenia.

• Normann, Eivind; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Kvarstein, Elfrida H; Pedersen, Geir Feigum; Vaskinn, Anja & Wilberg, Theresa (2019). Are impairments in theory of mind specific to borderline personality disorder? Journal of Personality Disorders. ISSN 0885-579X. 34(6), p. 827–841. doi: 10.1521/pedi_2019_33_417. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Impaired theory of mind (ToM) is an assumed feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Yet, no studies have compared ToM abilities in patients with BPD, other personality disorders, and healthy controls, or investigated the relationship between ToM and severity of psychopathology and interpersonal problems. In this study, ToM was investigated by the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. No differences were found between the three groups in overall ToM abilities. The BPD group was, however, characterized by more excessive ToM (interpreted as hypermentalization). Yet, when differentiating between BPD and further severity indicators, excessive ToM was not specifically associated with a BPD diagnosis per se. Finally, there was a moderate association between hypermentalization and interpersonal problems in the BPD group. This study suggests that BPD patients tend to hypermentalize when they misinterpret social information, and that this tendency is related to the severity of their psychopathology.

• Hauger, Lisa Evju; Sagoe, Dominic; Vaskinn, Anja; Arnevik, Espen Kristian Ajo; Leknes, Siri & Jørstad, Marie Lindvik [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence is associated with impaired emotion recognition. Psychopharmacology. ISSN 0033-3158. 236(9), p. 2667–2676. doi: 10.1007/s00213-019-05239-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Aminoff, Sofie Ragnhild; Vaskinn, Anja; Barrett, Elizabeth Ann; Færden, Ann & Ueland, Torill [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2019). Perceived and experienced stigma in first-episode psychosis: A 1-year follow-up study. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 95:152134, p. 1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152134. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives Perceived/experienced stigma and its relationship with clinical outcome were investigated across the first year of treatment in a large sample with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Methods FEP participants (n = 112) in the TOP study were investigated at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Perceived/experienced stigma was measured with items from the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), assessing problems because of barriers and hindrances, and living with dignity because of attitudes and actions of others. Clinical outcome included: symptoms, global functioning, self-rated disability and self-rated life satisfaction. Results In the total sample, 46% perceived/experienced stigma at baseline, which decreased significantly to 32% at 1-year follow-up. Perceived/experienced stigma was present in 1/5 at both time-points (Sustained stigma), in 2/5 at only one time-point (Transient stigma), and in 2/5 it was not present at either time-point (No stigma). Compared to the No stigma group, the Sustained stigma group had significantly higher levels of positive, excited and depressive symptoms and self-rated disability, as well as lower levels of global functioning and life satisfaction at 1 year follow-up, while the Transient stigma group only had poorer functioning and higher self-rated disability. Yet the outcome variables improved across the first year of treatment in all three stigma groups. Conclusion Perceived/experienced stigma was common in FEP, yet the rate decreased across the first year of treatment. Although there was some clinical improvement across the first year of treatment irrespective of stigma, stigma was related to poorer clinical outcome in a bidirectional manner. This suggests that perceived/experienced stigma is an important target in the early stages of treatment.

• Bakke, Laura A. Wortinger; Engen, Kristine; Barth, Claudia; Lonning, Vera Louise Hiorth; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø & Andreassen, Ole Andreas [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2019). Obstetric complications and intelligence in patients on the schizophrenia-bipolar spectrum and healthy participants. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. p. 1–9. doi: 10.1017/S0033291719002046. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2019). Commentary: Emotion Perception in Members of Norwegian Mensa. Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01164. Full text in Research Archive
• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Rund, Bjørn Rishovd; Lau, Bjørn; Vaskinn, Anja & Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari (2019). Increased prevalence of psychopathy and childhood trauma in homicide offenders with schizophrenia compared to nonviolent individuals with schizophrenia. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0803-9488. 73(8), p. 501–508. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2019.1656777. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Løvgren, André; Egeland, Maj Kristoffersen; Feyer, Frida Karine; Østefjells, Tiril & Andreassen, Ole Andreas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). A randomized controlled trial of training of affect recognition (TAR) in schizophrenia shows lasting effects for theory of mind. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. ISSN 0940-1334. 269(5), p. 611–620. doi: 10.1007/s00406-019-00997-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Schizophrenia is characterized by social cognitive impairments that predict functioning. Social cognitive training aims to target these impairments. Although it can improve the targeted social cognitive domain, it is unclear if the training generalizes to non-targeted domains and to functioning, with lasting effects. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of a targeted facial affect recognition training program, Training of Affect Recognition (TAR), in persons with schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia were randomized to receive treatment as usual and TAR (n = 24) or treatment as usual (n = 24) after assessments with a comprehensive protocol at baseline (T1). Participants were reassessed immediately after the intervention period (T2: after 8 weeks) and at 3-month follow-up (T3). The protocol included tests of social cognition (facial or body affect recognition, theory of mind), nonsocial cognition (Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery), clinical symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia), functioning (self-reported, social or nonsocial functional capacity), self-esteem, self-efficacy and insight. Linear mixed models yielded a significant group × time interaction effect for a non-targeted social cognitive domain (theory of mind) and a trend-level effect for social functional capacity with the intervention group performing better over time. No beneficial effects on nonsocial cognition, other measures of functioning, clinical symptoms, or self-esteem/self-efficacy appeared for the TAR program. This study provides evidence for transfer and durability effects of facial affect recognition training to theory of mind, but also highlights the need for additional treatments to achieve functional benefits.

• Engen, Magnus Johan; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Melle, Ingrid; Færden, Ann; Lyngstad, Siv Hege & Haatveit, Beathe [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). Cognitive functioning in patients with first-episode psychosis stratified by level of negative symptoms: A 1-year follow-up study. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 281, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112554. Full text in Research Archive
• Frøyhaug, Mathias; Andersson, Stein; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Ueland, Torill & Vaskinn, Anja (2019). Theory of mind in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Hinting Task. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. ISSN 1354-6805. 24(6), p. 454–469. doi: 10.1080/13546805.2019.1674645. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: The quality of measures used to assess theory of mind (ToM) in severe mental illness has not been sufficiently investigated. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Hinting Task in schizophrenia, bipolar I and II disorder and healthy controls. Methods: The study included 90 patients and 183 healthy controls. Internal consistency, ceiling effects, discriminatory power and concurrent and construct validity were investigated. Results: The Hinting Task displayed adequate levels of internal consistency for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Ceiling effects emerged in all groups except the schizophrenia group. Schizophrenia patients scored significantly lower than all other groups, but no other significant group differences were detected. In the schizophrenia group, the Hinting Task’s concurrent validity was substantiated by significant correlations with measures of neurocognition, symptoms and functional capacity. In the bipolar disorder groups, however, only a few significant relationships were found. Correlations between the Hinting Task and a measure of emotion recognition indicated that construct validity was higher for schizophrenia than bipolar disorder. Conclusions: The results suggest that the Norwegian Hinting Task is suited for use in schizophrenia research and assessment, but caution is warranted when using the test for other populations.

• Egeland, Jens; Holmen, Tom Langerud; Bang-Kittilsen, Gry; Bigseth, Therese Torgersen; Vaskinn, Anja & Engh, John (2019). Body language reading of emotion and outcome in schizophrenia. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. ISSN 1354-6805. 24(1), p. 54–64. doi: 10.1080/13546805.2019.1568234. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Although considered a promising design for testing social cognition, it is not clear to what extent the EmoBio test of emotion recognition actually predicts community functioning. It is also not clear whether the test measures something unique or different from nonsocial cognition. The present study tests whether EmoBio accounts for GAF function score and two operationalised community outcome measures. The study also analyses cognitive predictors of EmoBio performance, testing whether stimulus modality affects prediction. Methods: Eighty-three patients with schizophrenia were tested with EmoBio, the cognitive battery MCCB and WAIS-IV. Results: EmoBio accounted for a significant portion of variance in all three outcome measures. Only EmoBio predicted Lifetime Relationship status, and EmoBio remained a significant predictor of Independent living beyond non-social cognition. All cognitive measures contributed significantly to the variance in EmoBio, but entered together explained only a third of total variance. Conclusion: The study shows that emotion recognition accounts for community outcome. There was no clear effect of test-modality in predicting EmoBio performance, indicating no method invariance problem with EmoBio. It also indicates that the mechanisms underlying impaired social cognition in schizophrenia are different from the hypothesised non-verbal learning deficits in the disorder.

• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Rund, Bjørn Rishovd; Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari; Lau, Bjørn; Ueland, Torill & Vaskinn, Anja (2018). Large social cognitive impairments characterize homicide offenders With schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 272, p. 209–215. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.087. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja & Abu-Akel, Ahmad (2018). The interactive effect of autism and psychosis severity on theory of mind and functioning in schizophrenia. Neuropsychology. ISSN 0894-4105. 33(2), p. 195–202. doi: 10.1037/neu0000499. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: Autism and schizophrenia are characterized by impairments in social cognition and functioning. They can co-occur at both the trait/symptom and diagnostic levels. We investigated the concurrent effect of autism and psychotic symptom severity on social cognition and functioning in schizophrenia. Method: Eighty-one individuals (thirty-two females) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were included. Symptoms were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale using the positive subscale (PANSSpos) and the PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS). Theory of mind (ToM) was assessed with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) which yields scores for three error types: overmentalizing, undermentalizing and no-mentalizing. Functioning was assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF-f) and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The sample was bimodally distributed and therefore divided into low and high PAUSS groups. Generalized linear models examined the effect of PANSSpos, PAUSS and their interaction on GAF-f, SFS and MASC scores. Results: For the entire cohort, the PANSSpos x PAUSS interaction was significantly associated with better GAF-f (p=0.005), SFS (p=0.029), and overall ToM (p=0.035), and, for the high PAUSS group, with reduced overmentalizing errors (p=0.002), resulting in better overall ToM. Conclusions: Concurrent elevated levels of autism and positive psychotic symptoms seem to benefit functioning and social cognition in schizophrenia. The results are consistent with the diametric model which posits that autism and schizophrenia are characterized by opposing patterns in mentalizing, and promote the radical idea that the presence of both disorders may be associated with attenuated impairments. © 2018 American Psychological Association

• Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Færden, Ann; Ueland, Torill; Vaskinn, Anja; Bjella, Thomas & Andreassen, Ole Andreas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Self-rated disability in first treated episode of psychosis: A 1-year follow-up study. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 85, p. 48–54. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.06.004. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: Knowledge about self-rated disability over time in psychotic disorders is limited. How self-rateddisability relates to clinician-rated global functioning, self-rated life satisfaction and symptomatology wasinvestigated across thefirst year of treatment in early psychosis. Methods: Participants withfirst treated episode of psychosis (n= 115) were investigated at baseline and 1-yearfollow-up. Self-rated Disability was measured with World Health Organization- Disability Assessment Schedule2.0. Clinician-rated global functioning, self-rated life satisfaction, and symptomatology were measured withappropriate scales. Results: Average self-rated disability infirst-treated episode of psychosis was high, corresponding with the 10%highest in a general population sample. However, 37% werenotdisabled at a clinically significant level afterone year. Self-rated disability was highest in the two social domains (Getting along with people and Participationin society), but improved significantly from baseline to 1-year. At 1-year follow-up self-rated disability hadsignificant weak to medium correlations with clinician-rated global functioning and positive symptoms,and mainly medium to strong correlations with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Yet only baselinedepression significantly predicted disability after one year. Conclusion: Self-rated disability infirst treated episode of psychosis is high, but improves across thefirst year,indicating signs of early recovery. Moreover,self-rateddisability isrelated, but distinct fromclinician-ratedglobalfunctioning and self-rated life satisfaction, suggesting that self-rated disability should also be assessed in order tomore fully describe outcomes infirst episode psychosis. Thefindings highlight the need for specialised treatmentof depression and social disability in early psychosis.

• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Vaskinn, Anja; Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari; Mohn, Christine; Lau, Bjørn & Rund, Bjørn Rishovd (2018). Impaired Neuropsychological Profile in Homicide Offenders with Schizophrenia. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 85, p. 55–60. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.06.002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Our ability to predict and prevent homicides committed by individuals with schizophrenia is limited. Cognitive impairments are associated with poorer functional outcome in schizophrenia, possibly also homicide. The aim of the current study was to investigate global and specific cognition among homicide offenders with schizophrenia (HOS). Methods: Twenty-six HOS were compared to 28 individuals with schizophrenia and no history of violence (non-HOS), and a group of healthy controls (HC, n = 151). HOS and non-HOS participants were recruited from in- and outpatient units across Norway. An extensive neuropsychological test battery was administered. Results: HOS participants performed significantly weaker than HC in all cognitive domains. Further, statistically significant differences between HOS and non-HOS participants were found for IQ (d = 0.52) and verbal learning (d = 0.82), with larger impairments in the HOS compared to the non-HOS group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that HOS participants show clinically significant impairments in global and specific cognition.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Andersson, Stein; Østefjells, Tiril; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2018). Emotion perception, non-social cognition and symptoms as predictors of theory of mind in schizophrenia. Comprehensive Psychiatry. ISSN 0010-440X. 85, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.05.002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Theory of mind (ToM) can be divided into cognitive and affective ToM, and a distinction can be made between overmentalizing and undermentalizing errors. Research has shown that ToM in schizophrenia is associated with non-social and social cognition, and with clinical symptoms. In this study, we investigate cognitive and clinical predictors of different ToM processes. Methods: Ninety-one individuals with schizophrenia participated. ToM was measured with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) yielding six scores (total ToM, cognitive ToM, affective ToM, overmentalizing errors, undermentalizing errors and no mentalizing errors). Neurocognition was indexed by a composite score based on the non-social cognitive tests in the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Emotion perception was measured with Emotion in Biological Motion (EmoBio), a point-light walker task. Clinical symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Seventy-one healthy control (HC) participants completed the MASC. Results: Individuals with schizophrenia showed large impairments compared to HC for all MASC scores, except overmentalizing errors. Hierarchical regression analyses with the six different MASC scores as dependent variables revealed that MCCB was a significant predictor of all MASC scores, explaining 8–18% of the variance. EmoBio increased the explained variance significantly, to 17–28%, except for overmentalizing errors. PANSS excited symptoms increased explained variance for total ToM, affective ToM and no mentalizing errors. Discussion: Both social and non-social cognition were significant predictors of ToM. Overmentalizing was only predicted by non-social cognition. Excited symptoms contributed to overall and affective ToM, and to no mentalizing errors.

• Sønderby, Ida Elken; Gustafsson, Omar; Doan, Nhat Trung; Hibar, Derrek; Martin-Brevet, Sandra & Espeseth, Thomas [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2018). Dose response of the 16p11.2 distal copy number variant on intracranial volume and basal ganglia. Molecular Psychiatry. ISSN 1359-4184. p. 1–16. doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0358-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Carriers of large recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) have a higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. The 16p11.2 distal CNV predisposes carriers to e.g., autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We compared subcortical brain volumes of 12 16p11.2 distal deletion and 12 duplication carriers to 6882 non-carriers from the large-scale brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging collaboration, ENIGMA-CNV. After stringent CNV calling procedures, and standardized FreeSurfer image analysis, we found negative dose-response associations with copy number on intracranial volume and on regional caudate, pallidum and putamen volumes (β = −0.71 to −1.37; P < 0.0005). In an independent sample, consistent results were obtained, with significant effects in the pallidum (β = −0.95, P = 0.0042). The two data sets combined showed significant negative dose-response for the accumbens, caudate, pallidum, putamen and ICV (P = 0.0032, 8.9 × 10−6, 1.7 × 10−9, 3.5 × 10−12 and 1.0 × 10−4, respectively). Full scale IQ was lower in both deletion and duplication carriers compared to non-carriers. This is the first brain MRI study of the impact of the 16p11.2 distal CNV, and we demonstrate a specific effect on subcortical brain structures, suggesting a neuropathological pattern underlying the neurodevelopmental syndromes.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Lagerberg, Trine Vik; Bjella, Thomas; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Ueland, Torill [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2017). Impairment in emotion perception from body movements in individuals with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder is associated with functional capacity. International journal of bipolar disorders. 5(13), p. 1–9. doi: 10.1186/s40345-017-0083-7. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Individuals with bipolar disorder present with moderate impairments in social cognition during the euthymic state. The impairment extends to theory of mind and to the perception of emotion in faces and voices, but it is unclear if emotion perception from body movements is affected. The main aim of this study was to examine if participants with bipolar disorder perform worse than healthy control participants on a task using point-light displays of human full figures moving in a manner indicative of a basic emotion (angry, happy, sad, fearful, neutral/no emotion). A secondary research question was whether diagnostic subtypes (bipolar I, bipolar II) and history of psychosis impacted on this type of emotion perception. Finally, symptomatic, neurocognitive, and functional correlates of emotion perception from body movements were investigated. Methods Fifty-three individuals with bipolar I (n = 29) or bipolar II (n = 24) disorder, and 84 healthy control participants were assessed for emotion perception from body movements. The bipolar group also underwent clinical, cognitive, and functional assessment. Research questions were analyzed using analyses of variance and bivariate correlations. Results The bipolar disorder group differed significantly from healthy control participants for emotion perception from body movements (Cohen’s d = 0.40). Analyses of variance yielded no effects of sex, diagnostic subtype (bipolar I, bipolar II), or history of psychosis. There was an effect of emotion, indicating that some emotions are easier to recognize. The lack of a significant group × emotion interaction effect points, however, to this being so regardless of the presence of bipolar disorder. Performance was unrelated to manic and depressive symptom load but showed significant associations with neurocognition and functional capacity. Conclusions Individuals with bipolar disorder had a small but significant impairment in the ability to perceive emotions from body movement. The impairment was global, i.e., affecting all emotions and equally present for males and females. The impairment was associated with neurocognition and functional capacity, but not symptom load. Our findings identify pathopsychological factors underlying the functional impairment in bipolar disorder and suggest the consideration of social cognition training as part of the treatment for bipolar disorder.

• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Vaskinn, Anja (2017). Body language reading of emotion in schizophrenia: associations with symptoms and functional outcome. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 58(5), p. 359–366. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12381. Full text in Research Archive
• Berg, Akiah Ottesen; Melle, Ingrid; Zuber, Verena; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Nerhus, Mari & Ueland, Torill [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2017). Modelling difficulties in abstract thinking in psychosis: the importance of socio-developmental background. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. ISSN 1354-6805. 22(1), p. 39–52. doi: 10.1080/13546805.2016.1259998. Full text in Research Archive
• Skåtun, Kristina Cecilie; Kaufmann, Tobias; Brandt, Christine Lycke; Doan, Nhat Trung; Alnæs, Dag & Tønnesen, Siren [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Thalamo-cortical functional connectivity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Brain Imaging and Behavior. ISSN 1931-7557. doi: 10.1007/s11682-017-9714-y. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Fiske, Alan P. & Green, Michael F. (2017). Enhancing tolerability of a measure of social perception in schizophrenia: comparison of short and long Norwegian versions of the Relationships Across Domains test. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. ISSN 1354-6805. 22(3), p. 254–262. doi: 10.1080/13546805.2017.1307174. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Østefjells, Tiril; Nymo, Katharina Sørvang; Melle, Ingrid & Ueland, Torill (2016). Reading emotions from body movement: A generalized impairment in schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychology. 6. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02058. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Body language reading is a social cognitive process with importance for successful maneuvering of social situations. In this study, we investigated body language reading as assessed with human point-light displays in participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 84) compared to healthy control participants (n = 84), aiming to answer three questions: (1) whether persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia have poorer body language reading abilities than healthy persons; (2) whether some emotions are easier to read from body language than others, and if this is the same for individuals with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, and (3) whether there are sex differences in body language reading in participants with schizophrenia and healthy participants. A fourth research aim concerned associations of body language reading with symptoms and functioning in participants with schizophrenia. Scores on the body language reading measure was first standardized using a separate sample of healthy control participants (n = 101). Further results showed that persons with schizophrenia had impaired body language reading ability compared to healthy persons. A significant effect of emotion indicated that some emotions (happiness, neutral) were easier to recognize and this was so for both individuals with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. There were no sex differences for either diagnostic group. Body language reading ability was not associated with symptoms or functioning. In conclusion; schizophrenia was characterized by a global impairment in body language reading that was present for all emotions and across sex.

• Steen, Nils Eiel; Aas, Monica; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Dieset, Ingrid; Tesli, Martin Steen & Nerhus, Mari [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2016). Serum concentrations of mood stabilizers are associated with memory, but not other cognitive domains in psychosis spectrum disorders; explorative analyses in a naturalistic setting. International journal of bipolar disorders. 4(24). doi: 10.1186/s40345-016-0067-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Mood stabilizers like lithium and anticonvulsants are used in bipolar and related psychotic disorders. There is a lack of knowledge of the relationship of these medications and cognition in the psychosis spectrum. We studied the association between serum concentration of mood stabilizers and cognitive performance in a well-characterized sample of bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Methods Serum concentrations of valproate, lamotrigine, and lithium were analyzed for associations to performance on neuropsychological tests in six cognitive domains in individuals with bipolar disorder (n = 167) and in a combined sample of individuals with bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n = 217). Linear regression with adjustments for gender, age, and symptom levels of depression, mania, and psychosis were applied for the association analyses. Results There were negative associations between serum levels of valproate and short term delayed recall (bipolar: p = 0.043; combined: p = 0.044) and working memory (bipolar: p = 0.043). A positive association was suggested between serum level of lithium and working memory (bipolar: p = 0.039). There were no other significant relationships between serum levels of valproate, lamotrigine, or lithium and neuropsychological test performance in neither the bipolar disorder nor the combined group. Conclusions Serum levels of mood stabilizers were unrelated to cognitive performance in most domains, indicating that higher dose does not lead to broader cognitive impairments in bipolar and related psychotic disorder patients. However, worsened memory with increasing levels of valproate suggests cautious dosing of anticonvulsants, while increasing lithium level seems to be associated with improved memory. The findings should be interpreted with caution due to the explorative, naturalistic design.

• Haatveit, Beathe Christin; Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Jensen, Jimmy Kristian; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Melle, Ingrid [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Stability of executive functions in first episode psychosis: One year follow up study. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 228(3), p. 475–481. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.060. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Ventura, Joseph; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Melle, Ingrid & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2015). A social path to functioning in schizophrenia: from social self-efficacy through negative symptoms to social functional capacity. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 228(3), p. 803–807. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.019. Full text in Research Archive
• Steen, Nils Eiel; Aas, Monica; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Dieset, Ingrid; Tesli, Martin Steen & Nerhus, Mari [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2015). Serum level of venlafaxine is associated with better memory in psychotic disorders. Schizophrenia Research. ISSN 0920-9964. 169(1-3), p. 386–392. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.10.021. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Antonsen, Bjørnar Torske; Fretland, Ragnhild Avdem; Dziobek, Isabel; Sundet, Kjetil Søren & Wilberg, Theresa (2015). Theory of mind in women with borderline personality disorder or schizophrenia: differences in overall ability and error patterns. Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01239. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Although borderline personality disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are notably different mental disorders, they share problems in social cognition—or understanding the feelings, intentions and thoughts of other people. To date no studies have directly compared the social cognitive abilities of individuals with these two disorders. In this study, the social cognitive subdomain theory of mind was investigated in women with BPD (n = 25), women with SZ (n = 25) and healthy women (n = 25). An ecologically valid video-based measure (Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition) was used. For the overall score, women with SZ performed markedly below both healthy women and women with BPD, whereas women with BPD did not perform significantly different compared to the healthy control group. A statistically significant error type × group interaction effect indicated that the groups differed with respect to kind of errors. Whereas women with BPD made mostly overmentalizing errors, women with SZ in addition committed undermentalizing errors. Our study suggests different magnitude and pattern of social cognitive problems in BPD and SZ.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Hartberg, Cecilie Bhandari; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Westlye, Lars Tjelta; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Melle, Ingrid [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). Brain structure characteristics in intellectually superior schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research : Neuroimaging. ISSN 0925-4927. 232(1), p. 123–129. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.02.005. Full text in Research Archive
• Fretland, Ragnhild Avdem; Andersson, Stein; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Melle, Ingrid & Vaskinn, Anja (2015). Theory of mind in schizophrenia: Error types and associations with symptoms. Schizophrenia Research. ISSN 0920-9964. 162(1-3), p. 42–46. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.024. Full text in Research Archive
• Rosenstein, Mark; Foltz, Peter; Vaskinn, Anja & Elvevåg, Brita (2015). Practical issues in developing semantic frameworks for the analysis of verbal fluency data: A Norwegian data case study. In Mitchell, Margaret; Coppersmith, Glen & Hollingshead, Kristy (Ed.), Proceedings of the Second Workshop on Computational Linguistics and Clinical Psychology:From Linguistic Signal to Clinical Reality 2015. Curran Associates Inc. ISSN 9781510804364. p. 124–133. doi: 10.3115/v1/w15-1215. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Ueland, Toril; Melle, Ingrid; Agartz, Ingrid; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2014). Neurocognitive decrements are present in intellectually superior schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 5(MAY). doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00045. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Data suggest that individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and superior intelligence can present without specific neurocognitive deficits. However, neurocognitive decrements, defined as worse cognition than expected, have been reported in practically all SZ cases. This study investigated if neurocognitive decrements are present in intellectually superior SZ by comparing the neuropsychological profile of SZ cases with IQ-matched healthy controls (HC) across intellectual levels. Participants with SZ and HCs were stratified into three IQ-groups; intellectually low (IQ 80–95; SZ n = 65 and HC n = 13), intellectually normal (IQ = 100–115; SZ n = 111 and HC n = 115), and intellectually superior (IQ = 120; SZ n = 20 and HC n = 50). A repeated measures multivariate analysis of co-variance compared performance on eight selected neuropsychological tests across IQ-strata and diagnostic group. Differences in clinical characteristics and social functioning in SZ across IQ-strata were investigated with multivariate and univariate analyses of variance. Intellectually superior SZ participants scored within normal limits, but had neurocognitive decrements compared to superior HCs. Decrements were of the same magnitude as in the low and normal IQ-strata. Levels of functional impairments and clinical characteristics in participants with SZ did not differ significantly across IQ-strata. Results indicate that neurocognitive decrements are present in intellectually superior SZ to the same extent as in intellectually low and intellectually normal SZ, supporting the notion that SZ is a neurocognitive disorder. Similar levels of social functional deficits and clinical symptoms suggest similar disease processes in SZ across intellectual level.

• Ventura, Joseph; Subotnik, Kenneth L.; Ered, Arielle; Gretchen-Doorly, Denise; Hellemann, Gerhard S. & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2014). The relationship of attitudinal beliefs to negative symptoms, neurocognition, and daily functioning in recent-onset schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 40(6), p. 1308–1318. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbu002. Full text in Research Archive
• Haukvik, Unn Kristin H.; Rimol, Lars Morten; Roddey, J Cooper; Hartberg, Cecilie Bhandari; Lange, Elisabeth & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2014). Normal Birth Weight Variation Is Related to Cortical Morphology Across the Psychosis Spectrum. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 40(2), p. 410–419. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbt005. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Johnsen, Eirik Irgens; Jørgensen, Hugo A; Kroken, Rune & Løberg, Else-Marie (2013). Prospective and concurrent correlates of emotion perception in psychotic disorders: A naturalistic, longitudinal study of neurocognition, affective blunting and avolition. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 54(3), p. 261–266. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12046. Full text in Research Archive
• Jónsdóttir, Halldóra; Ilner, Stein E. Opjordsmoen; Birkenæs, Astrid Brate; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Engh, John & Ringen, Petter Andreas [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2013). Predictors of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. ISSN 0001-690X. 127(1), p. 23–33. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2012.01911.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Ueland, Toril; Agartz, Ingrid; Melle, Ingrid & Andreassen, Ole Andreas (2013). Social cognition and clinical insight in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. ISSN 0022-3018. 201(6), p. 445–451. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31829480c8. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Wilsgård, Ingun; Holm, Arne; Wootton, Richard & Elvevåg, Brita (2013). A feasibility study of a telephone-based screening service for mild cognitive impairment and its uptake by elderly people. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. ISSN 1357-633X. 19(1), p. 5–10. doi: 10.1177/1357633X12473904. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and subsequently dementia, increases with age. Early detection requires a comprehensive clinical examination, which is time consuming and expensive; a face-to-face examination can also be problematic for people living in rural areas which may result in unequal access to services. Telephone-based screening may provide a feasible method of identifying people who would benefit from a full diagnostic workup. We conducted a pilot study in which we offered telephone screening to all patients aged over 60 years at a health clinic in rural northern Norway (n = 259). Fifteen percent of them volunteered (n = 39). Screening identified a number of suspicious cases and we recommended to their general practitioner that 7 patients (18%) be offered a follow-up appointment. Surveys showed that the volunteers were generally positive towards the service, as was the general practitioner who found it helpful to be provided with such information about the elderly patients in his care. In addition, we surveyed the opinions of all general practitioners (n = 480) in the three northernmost counties of Norway concerning a potential service. There was a response rate of 40% (n = 190). Almost half of respondents (45%) would like to make use of such a service if it existed, and 34% believed that their patients would make use of it if available. The pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of telephone screening for clinically significant memory decline, and that users (general practitioners and the elderly) are positive towards such a service.

• Bratlien, Unni; Øie, Merete Glenne; Lien, Lars; Agartz, Ingrid; Romm, Kristin Lie & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2013). Social dysfunction in first-episode psychosis and relations to neurocognition, duration of untreated psychosis and clinical symptoms. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. 207(1-2), p. 33–39. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.10.010. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja & Egeland, Jens (2012). Testbruksundersøkelsen: En oversikt over tester brukt av norske psykologer. (An overview of tests used by Norwegian psychologists). Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. 49(7), p. 658–665. Full text in Research Archive
• Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Vaskinn, Anja; Birkenæs, Astrid Brate; Engh, John & Færden, Ann [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2011). Neurocognitive dysfunction in bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders depends on history of psychosis rather than diagnostic group. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 37(1), p. 73–83. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbp034. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Hellvin, Tone; Melle, Ingrid & Andreassen, Ole Andreas (2011). Sex differences in neuropsychological performance and social functioning in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Neuropsychology. ISSN 0894-4105. 25, p. 499–510. doi: 10.1037/a0022677. Full text in Research Archive
• Engh, John; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Vaskinn, Anja; Lagerberg, Trine Vik & Ilner, Stein E. Opjordsmoen [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2011). Verbal learning contributes to cognitive insight in schizophrenia independently of affective and psychotic symptoms. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. ISSN 0278-5846. 35(4), p. 1059–1063. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.02.021. Full text in Research Archive
• Jónsdóttir, Halldóra; Ilner, Stein E. Opjordsmoen; Birkenæs, Astrid Brate; Engh, John; Ringen, Petter Andreas & Vaskinn, Anja [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2010). Medication Adherence in Outpatients With Severe Mental Disorders Relation Between Self-Reports and Serum Level. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. ISSN 0271-0749. 30(2), p. 169–175. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181d2191e. Full text in Research Archive
• Ringen, Petter Andreas; Vaskinn, Anja; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Engh, John; Jónsdóttir, Halldóra & Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2010). Opposite relationships between cannabis use and neurocognitive functioning in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Psychological Medicine. ISSN 0033-2917. 40(8), p. 1337–1347. doi: 10.1017/S0033291709991620. Full text in Research Archive
• Hellvin, Tone; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Vaskinn, Anja; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Ueland, Toril & Andreassen, Ole Andreas [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2010). Validation of the Norwegian version of the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. ISSN 0036-5564. 51(6), p. 525–533. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2010.00839.x. Full text in Research Archive
• Engh, John; Friis, Svein; Birkenæs, Astrid Brate; Jónsdóttir, Halldóra; Klungsøyr, Ole & Ringen, Petter Andreas [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2010). Delusions Are Associated With Poor Cognitive Insight in Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 36(4), p. 830–835. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbn193. Full text in Research Archive
• Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Vaskinn, Anja; Ueland, Toril; Romm, Kristin Lie & Hellvin, Tone [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2010). Psychosocial function in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Relationship to neurocognition and clinical symptoms. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. ISSN 1355-6177. 16(5), p. 771–783. doi: 10.1017/S1355617710000573. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

• Ueland, Torill; Grimstad, Kristoffer; Sørensen, Håkon; Øie, Merete Glenne & Vaskinn, Anja (2026). Reply to Stip and colleagues. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition. 45, p. 1–3. doi: 10.1016/j.scog.2026.100429. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2025). The Double Standards of the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA). Society & Animals. ISSN 1063-1119. 33(7-8), p. 797–803. doi: 10.1163/15685306-bja10259. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse ( ATSA ) is an organization for researchers and clinicians in the field concerned with treatment and understanding of individuals who have committed sexual abuse or are at risk of committing sexual abuse. ATSA ’s annual conference for 2025 takes place at a SeaWorld hotel, a choice which stands in contrast to ATSA ’s mission of preventing abuse. This commentary reviews the history of animal exploitation and ongoing maltreatment that enable the continued public display of animals at oceanaria such as SeaWorld. The scientific evidence of an overlap and similarities between violence and abuse against human and nonhuman animals is summarized, highlighting how abuse of nonhuman animals is not without relevance for ATSA ’s members. Choosing a conference venue affiliated with abuse and exploitation of nonhuman animals unveils the double standards of an organization whose mission is to prevent abuse.

• Tesli, Natalia & Vaskinn, Anja (2024). Violence and schizophrenia: Let us take a deep breath and gain a meta-perspective. British Journal of Psychiatry. ISSN 0007-1250. 225(5), p. 508–509. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.187. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2022). Psychological characteristics of people with self-defined sexual interest in animals: a short literature review. Psykologisk tidsskrift. ISSN 1501-7508. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2022). Sosial kognisjon, interpersonlig vold, og psykisk helse. Full text in Research Archive
• Gjestad, Elise Ødegård; Vaskinn, Anja; Kliem, Elisabeth; Saltvedt, Ingvild & Grambaite, Ramune (2021). Social Cognition is Associated with General Cognitive Function Post-Stroke. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2021). Childhood trauma and social cognition in persons with schizophrenia. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2021). Cognitive clusters across schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2021). Social cognition in severe mental disorders. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja & Muri, Karianne (2021). Mennesker som utøver seksuelle handlinger med dyr. Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. 58(05), p. 369–376. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sexual contact between humans and animals is known from early times, but the prevalence remains unknown. Research on individuals who have sexual contact with animals has largely been conducted on individuals who are incarcerated or who are recruited from the internet and who consider themselves zoophiles. This paper is a synopsis of some of the available literature from the perspectives of law, veterinary science and psychology. Whether human beings who conduct sexual acts with animals are at increased risk of interpersonal violence is discussed. Some claim that zoophilia may be a sexual orientation and that sexual contact should be tolerated as long as the animal does not suffer. Others stress that sexual contact with animals is always wrong because it involves coercion, violates the rights of others, and because the animal cannot provide genuine consent or report abuse. This lack of consent is paramount to current psychiatric classifications of zoophilia. Reporting of animal abuse is one of the exceptions to health professionals’ duty of confidentiality.

• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Torgalsbøen, Anne Kari; Rund, Bjørn Rishovd & Vaskinn, Anja (2021). Tvang fører neppe til færre drap. Full text in Research Archive
• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Rund, Bjørn Rishovd; Torgalsbøen, Anne Kari & Vaskinn, Anja (2021). En misforståelse om drap, vold og psykose. Aftenposten (morgenutg. : trykt utg.). ISSN 0804-3116. Full text in Research Archive
• Engelstad, Katharina Nymo; Rund, Bjørn Rishovd; Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari & Vaskinn, Anja (2018). Social cognition in homicide offenders with schizophrenia. Full text in Research Archive
• Friestad, Christine; Aulie, Harald & Vaskinn, Anja (2016). Mindreading abilities among men convicted of rape - A descriptive study. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja (2015). Psykose. In Grøndahl, Pål & Stridbeck, Ulf (Ed.), Rettspsykiatriske beretninger : om sakkyndighet og menneskeskjebner. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205484597. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Rettspsykiatrien har siden fagfeltets begynnelse på 1800-tallet vært gjenstand for debatt, kritikk og kontroverser. Debattene har gjerne oppstått i tilknytning til høyprofilerte og vanskelige saker som f.eks. 22. juli-saken i 2012. Denne boken går i dybden av rettspsykiatrien. Det beskrives hvordan fagfeltet ble til, hvordan rettspsykiatrien er bygget opp, hvilke regler som gjelder, og hvilke kliniske tilstander som er sentrale. Boken gir fengende fortellinger om rettspsykiatriske historier som kan være av interesse for leg og lærd. Samlet har boken 20 bidragsytere som belyser ulike temaområder. Slik sett er ikke boken en tradisjonell lærebok, men snarere en kasuistisk men samtidig forskningsbasert bok der rettspsykiatriens egentlige vesen stilles under lupen.

• Vaskinn, Anja; Hartberg, Cecilie Bhandari; Sundet, Kjetil Søren; Westlye, Lars Tjelta; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Melle, Ingrid [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2015). To the editors: Reply to Anna R. Docherty. Psychiatry Research. ISSN 0165-1781. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.07.022. Full text in Research Archive
• Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari & Vaskinn, Anja (2014). Diagnostisering: Norske psykologers unnlatelsessynd? Tidskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 51, p. 753–758. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Simonsen, Carmen Elisabeth; Hellvin, Tone; Melle, Ingrid; Andreassen, Ole Andreas & Sundet, Kjetil Søren (2011). SEX DIFFERENCES IN NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE ACROSS PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS. Schizophrenia Bulletin. ISSN 0586-7614. 37, p. 255–255. Full text in Research Archive
• Vaskinn, Anja; Egeland, Jens; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark & Høstmælingen, Andreas (2010). Norske psykologers bruk av tester. Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. 47, p. 1010–1016. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA