Greater preference for eveningness is associated with negative symptoms in an ultra-high risk for psychosis sample

Aim Investigating biological processes in at-risk individuals may help elucidate the aetiological mechanisms underlying psychosis development, refine prediction models and improve intervention strategies. This study examined the associations between sleep disturbances, chronotype, depressive and psychotic symptoms in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Methods A sample of 81 ultra-high risk patients completed clinical interviews and self-report assessments of chronotype and sleep during the Neurapro clinical trial. Mixed regression was used to investigate the cross-sectional associations between symptoms and sleep disturbances/chronotype. Results Sleep disturbances were significantly associated with increased depressive and attenuated positive psychotic symptoms. Greater preference for eveningness was significantly associated with increased negative symptoms, but not with depressive or attenuated positive psychotic symptoms. Conclusion Sleep disturbances and chronotype may impact the emerging psychopathology experienced by ultra-high risk individuals. Further, the preliminary relationship observed between greater preference for eveningness and negative symptoms offers a unique opportunity to treat negative symptoms through chronobiological approaches.

Automated summary

Investigating biological processes in at-risk individuals may help elucidate the aetiological mechanisms underlying psychosis development, refine prediction models and improve intervention strategies. The study examined associations between sleep disturbances, chronotype, depressive and psychotic symptoms in ultra-high risk individuals, finding that sleep disturbances were associated with increased depressive and attenuated positive psychotic symptoms, while eveningness preference was linked to increased negative symptoms.