Prospective longitudinal investigations are needed to identify causal processes leading to schizophrenia. However, there is presently no cost-effective way to identify children who are at risk of developing schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The present study tested the feasibility of screening community samples to identify children, aged 9-12 years, who experience a triad of putative antecedents of schizophrenia identified in previous research, including: (1) speech and/or motor development lags/problems; (2) social, emotional, or behavioural problems; and (3) psychotic-like-experiences. 3410 children and 796 caregivers completed questionnaires.

12.3% of boys and 8.0% of girls displayed the antecedent triad. Consistent with schizophrenia incidence data, children of African-Caribbean origin presented elevated risk for the antecedent triad relative to white British children. Preliminary results from event-related potential recordings in children presenting the triad (n=14; mean age: 11 years, 4 months; mean IQ: 111) and in control children experiencing none of the antecedents (n=9; mean age: 11 years, 6 months; mean IQ: 109), indicate brain function abnormalities in triad children. The amplitude of the error-related negativity (Ne/ERN) component elicited by erroneous responses to NoGo trials in a Go/NoGo task, relative to correct responses to Go trials, was reduced in children experiencing the triad (controlling for age and IQ). Similar reduction in Ne/ERN in adults with schizophrenia is thought to indicate deficits in patients’ internal monitoring of behaviour.

Questionnaire screening of community samples of children for the putative antecedents of schizophrenia is feasible. Accuracy of identification will be established only by follow-up studies.