Early auditory information processing (EAP) deficits lead to poor functional outcome via impaired cognition and increased negative symptoms in schizophrenia, a recent study found. Researchers analyzed cross-sectional data using structural equation modeling to examine the associations among EAP, cognition, negative symptoms, and functional outcome. Participants (n=1,415) were recruited from the community at 5 geographically distributed laboratories as part of the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia 2 from July 1, 2010, through January 31, 2014. Subjects included unrelated outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (mean [SD] age, 46 [11] years; 979 males [69.2%]; 619 white [43.7%]). Researchers found:

• Early auditory information processing had a direct effect on cognition, cognition had a direct effect on negative symptoms, and both cognition and experiential negative symptoms had direct effects on functional outcome.
• The indirect effect of EAP on functional outcome was significant as well.