Testing the domain of working memory and executive function in the context of cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia: A pilot study

Psihijatrija Danas

Knežević Goran¹  Munjiza Ana²  Miljević Čedo³  Jovandić Željko³  Jerotić Stefan³  Jovanović Đurđa³ 

[1] Filozofski fakultet, Beograd, Serbia;Institut za Mentalno zdravlje, Beograd, Serbia;Medicinski Fakultet, Beograd, Serbia;

关键词: schizophrenia;    cognitive functioning;    executive functions;    working memory;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that includes alterations of almost all mental functions. Numerous tests of cognitive functioning have demonstrated that generalized cognitive dysfunction exists in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits are related to attention, executive functions, working memory and visouspatial memory. The aim of the study was to assess executive functioning and working memory of people with schizophrenia, as well as to examine the potential link between congition and existing simptomatology. Method: The study included 18 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to the ICD-10 criteria. Instruments of cognitive assessment were tests that measured the executive functions: shifting (number-letter task), inhibition (continuous performance task), updating and working memory (N-back and keep track). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of symptoms. Data was statistically analyzed and the correlation coefficients were determined between PANSS scores and achievements on cognitive tests. Achivements of the patients were compared with those of the healthy control group. Results: Positive correlation has been determined between the total PANSS score and achievements on the N-back test (r=0,62), as well as between the negative PANSS cluster and achievements on the Nback (r=0,53). Negative correlation was determined between the negative PANSS cluster and achievements on the continuous performance test (r=-0,77). Patients suffering from schizophrenia had significantly lower achievement in comparison to the control group in tests keep track (M=17,89, SD=4,70 corresponding to M=24,17 SD=4,18; p=0.000) and N-back (M=7,93, SD=3,97 corresponding to M=10,67 SD=4,48; p=0.025). Discussion and conclusion: Today, cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia has the same importance as classical positive or negative symptoms in assessment of disease severity as well as in efficacy of treatment. Some studies estimate that almost 98% of patients demonstrates poor achievements on various cognitive tests compared to healthy subjects. In summary, our study has found that schizophrenic patients show strong deterioration of working memory. Correlation between cognitive functioning and schizophrenia is likely to be understood in the context of premorbid cognitive functioning and subsequent cognitive decline and thus schizophrenia can be understood as both neurodevelopmental and neuroprogessive disorder.

【 授权许可】

Unknown