Eye-tracking performance and adaptive functioning over the short-term course of first-episode psychosis

We examined the relationship of smooth pursuit eye tracking to the course of first-episode psychosis. Various measures of social, occupational, and psychological functioning were obtained for 134 persons with diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or psychotic mood disorder at the time of their psychosis and 9 and 18 months later. Poor eye-tracking performance was associated with generally impaired functioning over the 18 month course of disorder for patients with schizophrenia. A similar association between smooth pursuit and adaptive functioning was not found in patients with schizophreniform or affective disorder. The results suggest that patients with schizophrenia who are characterized by poor eye tracking have a more severe disorder, indications of which are present at the onset of their psychosis.