Children at familial high risk of schizophrenia have widespread yet stable neurocognitive impairments during their middle childhood years, a longitudinal cohort study shows.

The results also indicate distinct neurodevelopmental pathways in kids born to parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, at least between ages of seven to 11, researchers say.

Based on data collected from the ongoing Danish High Risk and Resilience Study, the authors compared development in specific neurocognitive functions between those with and without a predisposition to either condition.

The cohort included 170 and 103 children at familial high risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, respectively, as well as 178 controls; participants underwent an extensive battery of tests at ages seven and 11.