European Psychiatry - Volume 41 - April 2017

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S40 25th European Congress of Psychiatry / European Psychiatry 41S (2017) S8–S52
symptoms are an integral link in cognitive pathways, with con-
nections between cognitive processes weakening as disorganized
symptoms increase. Thus, it seems that when disorganized symp-
toms are present, people with schizophrenia are no longer able
to effectively utilize the neurocognitive abilities necessary for
performing social cognitive or metacognitive tasks. It is also in
line with models of disorganization in schizophrenia (Bleuler,
1911) that a “loosening of associations”—similar to current con-
ceptualizations of disorganized symptoms—is at the core of these
cognitive disruptions. Previous research has linked disorganiza-
tion to cognition (neurocognition and SC) and cognition to social
functioning, although in separate studies. The present study was
conducted to explore a model, where disorganization predicted
social functioning both directly both through indirect effects on
other determinants (neurocognition, SC and negative symptoms) in
a large, andwell-characterized sample of patients with schizophre-
nia recruited in the context of a multi-center study of the Italian
Network for Research on Psychoses (NIRP).
Disclosure of interest The author declares that he has no compet-
ing interest.
S107
Neurobiological correlates of the
treatment of emotion processing in
schizophrenia
G. Sachs ∗, H. Felsberger , J. Furtner , A. Erfurth
1 Medical university of Vienna, department of psychiatry and
psychotherapy, Vienna, Austria
2 Medical university of vienna, department of neuroradiology,
Vienna, Austria
3 Otto-Wagner-Spital, 6th psychiatric department, Vienna, Austria
∗ Corresponding author.
Introduction Mentalizing ability is impaired in patients with
schizophrenia. Most studies in schizophrenia report hypoactivation
of the core-mentalizing network including the medial prefrontal
cortex (mPFC) and bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ). In our
study, in patients with first episode schizophrenia treatment as
usual with atypical antipsychotics (TAU) was compared to the add-
on effect of amentalization-based treatment program (MBT) on the
mentalizing network in the brain.
Method 12 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to
DSM-IV-TR criteria participated in the study (6 males, mean age:
30.43, SD = 9.35 years, years of education 13.23, SD =2.45). A mod-
ified treatment program for psychoses was used based on the
mentalization-based therapy developed by Bateman and Fonagy
(2009). Before and after the treatment fMRI analyses (fixed effects
analyses) were carried out (3 Tesla, 5 blocks on/off, 36s, TR = 3.62,
SPM) using the n-back task.
Results Preliminary results show single analyses due to the small
sample size. Comparing the fMRI scans before and after treatment,
increases in the activation patterns were found in first episode
patients treated with MBT. In patients with TAU a reduction in the
activation patterns was demonstrated (mean changes in the acti-
vation clusters in the MBT group was 5.53, SD 12.79, in the TAU
group -5.80, SD 6.91).
Discussion Mentalization-based treatment is a promising
approach in the treatment of schizophrenia and can have an
impact on social networks in the brain. Further studies are needed
for a better understanding of social cognition and the related
neural mechanisms in schizophrenia.
Disclosure of interest The authors declare that they have no com-
peting interest.
S108
Neurocognitive predictors of social
cognition in subjects with
schizophrenia and their first-degree
relatives
A. Mucci ∗, S. Galderisi , P. Rocca , A. Rossi , A. Bertolino ,
M. Maj
1 University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, department of psychiatry,
Naples, Italy
2 University of Turin, department of neuroscience- section of
psychiatry, Turin, Italy
3 University of L’Aquila, department of biotechnological and applied
clinical sciences- section of psychiatry, L’Aquila, Italy
4 University of Bari, department of neurological and psychiatric
sciences, Bari, Italy
∗ Corresponding author.
Introduction Social cognition is a complex construct that refers
to the functions required to understand other people’s mental
states and behavior. In people with schizophrenia, social cognition
deficits account for a proportion of variance in functional out-
come, independent of symptomatology. However, the relationships
among social cognition, neurocognitive functioning and functional
outcome are still unclear. Previous investigations had several lim-
itations including small sample size, heterogeneous and limited
measures of social cognition and neurocognitive functions.
Aims Within the study of the Italian Network for Research on
Psychoses, we investigated factors influencing outcome in patients
with schizophrenia and their unaffected relatives. Psychopathol-
ogy, including depression, neurocognition, social cognition and
outcome were assessed using instruments designed to overcome
some of the previous limitations.
Methods Structural equation modeling was used to test direct
and indirect effects of neurocognition, social cognition and func-
tional capacity on vocational and interpersonal functioning. Tests
of facial emotion recognition, emotional intelligence and theory
of mind were included to assess social cognition. The MATRICS
Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to investigate neu-
rocognition.
Results In both subjectswith schizophrenia and their first-degree
relatives, social cognition was found to be independent of negative
symptoms and to have a direct impact on outcome. Neurocogni-
tion was a predictor of functional capacity and social cognition,
which both mediated its impact on outcome. Social cognition was
independent of functional capacity and negative symptoms.
Conclusions Better understanding of how neurocognitive dys-
function and social cognition deficits relate to one another may
guide efforts toward targeted treatment approaches.
Disclosure of interest AM received honoraria or advisory
board/consulting fees from the following companies: Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Otsuka, Pfizer and Pierre Fabre SG received
honoraria or advisory board/consulting fees from the follow-
ing companies: Lundbeck, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman-La
Roche, Angelini-Acraf, Otsuka, Pierre Fabre and Gedeon-Richter.
All other Authors declare no potential conflict of interest.
S109
Differential neural correlates of
dimensions of negative symptoms in
Schizophrenia during
social-emotional appraisal and effects
of treatment
A. Aleman
Department of Neuroscience, Umc, Groningen, The Netherlands