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The Efficacy of Extended Metacognitive Training on Neurocognitive Function in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030413. [PMID: 35326369 PMCID: PMC8945894 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metacognitive training (MCT) on improving the neurocognitive function of Chinese patients with schizophrenia. One hundred inpatients with schizophrenia were selected by regional group randomization and divided into the control (treated as usual, TAU) group (n = 50) and the TAU + MCT group (n = 50). In this study, a 10-module MCT was used and the intervention process lasted 30 days. Cognitive function was assessed blindly using the Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) scale at baseline, 24 h post-treatment, and 12 weeks’ post-treatment. The differences between the total RBANS score and baseline (pre-test) for the post-test and 12-week-follow-up tests were used as the primary outcome, and the difference between the RBANS dimension scores and baseline (pre-test) were used as a secondary outcome in this study. The completion rate at follow-up was high in the TAU + MCT group (94%). Intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis showed a significant increase in total neurocognitive function scores and three-dimensional scores (delayed memory, visual breadth, and attention) in the TAU + MCT group immediately after the intervention and at the 12-week follow-up compared with baseline. This study provides support for the efficacy of 10 module MCT concerning neurocognition.
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Cipriano L, Saracino D, Oliva M, Campana V, Puoti G, Conforti R, Fulgione L, Signoriello E, Bonavita S, Coppola C. Systematic Review on the Role of Lobar Cerebral Microbleeds in Cognition. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:1025-1035. [PMID: 35180115 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small round/oval lesions seen in MRI-specific sequences. They are divided in deep and lobar according to their location. Lobar CMBs (L-CMBs) are commonly associated with amyloid angiopathy. Although CMBs have been considered clinically silent for a long time, a growing body of evidence has shown that they could play a crucial role in cognitive functioning. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to estimate the role of L-CMBs in cognitive performance. METHODS We selected, from the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, clinical studies, published from January 2000 to January 2020 and focused on the association between L-CMBs and cognitive functions. The inclusion criteria were: 1) participants grouped according to presence or absence of CMBs, 2) extensive neuropsychological examination, 3) CMBs differentiation according to topographical distribution, and 4) MRI-based CMB definition (< 10 mm and low signal in T2*/SWI). The impact of L-CMBs was separately assessed for executive functions, visuospatial skills, language, and memory. RESULTS Among 963 potentially eligible studies, six fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies reported a greater reduction in executive performances in participants with L-CMB and two studies showed a statistically significant association between visuospatial dysfunction and L-CMBs. No association was found between hippocampal memory or language abilities and L-CMBs. CONCLUSION Lobar CMBs are associated with a reduction of processing speed and visuospatial performances, thus suggesting the contribution of vascular amyloid deposition to this cognitive profile. This occurrence enables us to suspect an underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology even in absence of typical hippocampal memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cipriano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Saracino
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau (ICM), INSERM U1127, CNRS UMR 7225 - Aramis Project Team, Inria Research Center of Paris - Reference Center for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Department of Neurology, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Mariano Oliva
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Campana
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Puoti
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Renata Conforti
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovica Fulgione
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Signoriello
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Bonavita
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Coppola
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Randers L, Jepsen JRM, Fagerlund B, Nordholm D, Krakauer K, Hjorthøj C, Glenthøj B, Nordentoft M. Generalized neurocognitive impairment in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: The possible key role of slowed processing speed. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01962. [PMID: 33486897 PMCID: PMC7994693 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Widespread neurocognitive impairment is well-established in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for developing psychoses, but it is unknown whether slowed processing speed may underlie impairment in other neurocognitive domains, as found in schizophrenia. The study delineated domain functioning in a UHR sample and examined if neurocognitive slowing might account for deficits across domains. METHODS The cross-sectional study included 50 UHR individuals with no (n = 38) or minimal antipsychotic exposure (n = 12; mean lifetime dose of haloperidol equivalent = 17.56 mg; SD = 13.04) and 50 matched healthy controls. Primary analyses compared group performance across neurocognitive domains before and after covarying for processing speed. To examine the specificity of processing speed effects, post hoc analyses examined the impact of the other neurocognitive domains and intelligence as covariates. RESULTS UHR individuals exhibited significant impairment across all neurocognitive domains (all ps ≤ .010), with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's ds = -0.53 to -1.12). Only processing speed used as covariate eliminated significant between-group differences in all other domains, reducing unadjusted Cohen's d values with 68% on average, whereas the other domains used as covariates averagely reduced unadjusted Cohen's d values with 20% to 48%. When covarying each of the other domains after their shared variance with speed of processing was removed, all significant between-group domain differences remained (all ps ≤ .024). CONCLUSION Slowed processing speed may underlie generalized neurocognitive impairment in UHR individuals and represent a potential intervention target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lasse Randers
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterMental Health Services Capital Region of DenmarkCopenhagen University HospitalDenmark
| | - Birgitte Fagerlund
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Faculty of Social SciencesDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Dorte Nordholm
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Functional Imaging UnitDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PETCopenhagen University Hospital RigshospitaletGlostrupDenmark
| | - Kristine Krakauer
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Functional Imaging UnitDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PETCopenhagen University Hospital RigshospitaletGlostrupDenmark
| | - Carsten Hjorthøj
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesDepartment of Public HealthSection of EpidemiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Birte Glenthøj
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health ‐ COREMental Health Center CopenhagenCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS)Mental Health Center GlostrupCopenhagen University HospitalGlostrupDenmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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The "Obsessive Paradox": The Complex Relationship Between Cognitive and Obsessive Dimensions in Schizophrenia. J Nerv Ment Dis 2019; 207:715-720. [PMID: 30720600 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and obsessive-compulsive dimension in schizophrenia and a possible moderating effect of schizophrenia symptom dimensions on this association. Sixty-one schizophrenia patients were administered the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), and the Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery. A U-shaped curve described a gradual transition from an inverse association to a positive relationship between YBOCS and processing speed scores, along a severity gradient of obsessive dimension. This effect ("the obsessive paradox") was not moderated by other symptom dimensions. The present study suggests that severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms may participate to counterbalance processing speed impairment independently from other symptom dimensions. These results highlight the complexity of the relationship between cognitive and obsessive dimensions in schizophrenia.
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Krajcovic B, Fajnerova I, Horacek J, Kelemen E, Kubik S, Svoboda J, Stuchlik A. Neural and neuronal discoordination in schizophrenia: From ensembles through networks to symptoms. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 226:e13282. [PMID: 31002202 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the substantial knowledge accumulated by past research, the exact mechanisms of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and causal treatments still remain unclear. Deficits of cognition and information processing in schizophrenia are today often viewed as the primary and core symptoms of this devastating disorder. These deficits likely result from disruptions in the coordination of neuronal and neural activity. The aim of this review is to bring together convergent evidence of discoordinated brain circuits in schizophrenia at multiple levels of resolution, ranging from principal cells and interneurons, neuronal ensembles and local circuits, to large-scale brain networks. We show how these aberrations could underlie deficits in cognitive control and other higher order cognitive-behavioural functions. Converging evidence from both animal models and patients with schizophrenia is presented in an effort to gain insight into common features of deficits in the brain information processing in this disorder, marked by disruption of several neurotransmitter and signalling systems and severe behavioural outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislav Krajcovic
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Fajnerova
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
- Research Programme 3 - Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Horacek
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
- Research Programme 3 - Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Eduard Kelemen
- Research Programme 1 - Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Kubik
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
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Laere E, Tee SF, Tang PY. Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Using Trail Making Test: A Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15:945-955. [PMID: 30223641 PMCID: PMC6212701 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.07.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the cognitive performance of schizophrenia patients measured by Trail Making Tests (TMT) and the contribution of socio-demographic factors to cognitive impairments. METHODS PubMed and PsycARTICLES databases were searched for the studies published between January 1985 and November 2017. Data were drawn from 19 studies encompassing 1095 patients and 324 controls. The effect size and heterogeneity were assessed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 using random-effect model. RESULTS Overall, the results showed that the schizophrenia patients performed significantly (p<0.001) worse than healthy controls in both TMT-A and B. However, concurrent substance abuse, clinical status (inpatient or outpatient), duration of education and duration of illness were not associated with cognitive impairment among the schizophrenia patients. CONCLUSION The present meta-analysis confirmed the cognitive processing speed and flexibility of schizophrenia patients were impaired. However, their duration of education, duration of illness and clinical status (inpatient or outpatient) were not the risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Laere
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Shiau Foon Tee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Pek Yee Tang
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
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Bechi M, Spangaro M, Agostoni G, Bosinelli F, Buonocore M, Bianchi L, Cocchi F, Guglielmino C, Bosia M, Cavallaro R. Intellectual and cognitive profiles in patients affected by schizophrenia. J Neuropsychol 2018; 13:589-602. [DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bechi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | - Marco Spangaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | | | | | - Mariachiara Buonocore
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | - Laura Bianchi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | - Federica Cocchi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | - Carmelo Guglielmino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
| | - Marta Bosia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
- Vita‐Salute San Raffaele University Milan Italy
| | - Roberto Cavallaro
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan Italy
- Vita‐Salute San Raffaele University Milan Italy
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Changes in Tryptophan Catabolite (TRYCAT) Pathway Patterning Are Associated with Mild Impairments in Declarative Memory in Schizophrenia and Deficits in Semantic and Episodic Memory Coupled with Increased False-Memory Creation in Deficit Schizophrenia. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5184-5201. [PMID: 28875464 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that schizophrenia and in particular negative symptoms and deficit schizophrenia are accompanied by neurocognitive impairments and changes in the patterning of the tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway. This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine the associations between cognitive functions (as measured with Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD)) and TRYCAT pathway patterning in patients with (n = 40) and without (n = 40) deficit schizophrenia and normal controls (n = 40). Cognitive measures were assessed with the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Word List Memory (WLM), Constructional Praxis, Word List Recall (WLRecall), and Word List Recognition (WLRecognition), while TRYCAT measurements assessed the IgA/IgM responses to noxious TRYCATs, namely quinolinic acid (QA), 3-OH-kynurenine (3HK), picolinic acid (PA), and xanthurenic (XA) acid, and more protective (PRO) TRYCATs, including kynurenic acid (KA) and anthranilic acid (AA). IgA NOX/PRO, IgM KA/3HK, and IgA/IgM NOX/PRO ratios were computed. Schizophrenia was accompanied by lower VFT and WLM, while BNT (dysnomia) and MMSE are significantly lower in multiple- than first-episode schizophrenia. Deficit schizophrenia is strongly associated with worse outcomes on VFT, MMSE, WLM, WLRecall, WLRecognition, and delayed recall savings and increased false memories. Around 40-50% of the variance in negative symptoms' scores was explained by VFT, WLM, WLRecall, and MMSE. Increases in IgA NOX/PRO, IgM KA/3HK, and/or IgA/IgM NOX/PRO ratios were associated with impairments in VFT, BNT, MMSE, WLM, WLRecall, WLRecognition, and false-memory creation. In conclusion, nondeficit schizophrenia is accompanied by mild memory impairments, while disease progression is accompanied by broader cognitive impairments. Deficit schizophrenia and negative symptoms are strongly associated with deficits in working memory, delayed recall and recognition, and increased false-memory creation. These cognitive impairments and memory deficits are in part explained by increased production and/or attenuated regulation of TRYCATs with neurotoxic, excitotoxic, immune-inflammatory, oxidative, and nitrosative potential, which may contribute to neuroprogression.
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Influence of cognition, premorbid adjustment and psychotic symptoms on psycho-social functioning in first-episode psychosis. Psychiatry Res 2016; 242:157-162. [PMID: 27280526 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between psycho-social functioning and symptoms, cognitive function, and premorbid adjustment, in patients with a first-episode psychosis. METHOD Clinical data were obtained from 90 patients, who were assessed with the Disability Assessment Scale (DAS-sv), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS-S) and with a battery of cognitive tests including Trail Making Tests A and B (TMTA- B), Continous Performance Test (CPT), some subscales of the Wechler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and the Verbal Learning Test España-Complutense (TAVEC). RESULTS The results of the study suggest that psycho-social functioning in first-episode psychosis is significantly related to: positive, negative, excitative, affective and disorganized symptoms, social premorbid adjustment, cognitive flexibility, working memory, short term and long term memory. Of these, those which best explained psycho-social functioning are the positive and excitative symptoms, premorbid adjustment, flexibility and memory. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance early intervention on cognitive and clinical variables to help provide a better psycho-social functioning in people with a first-episode of psychosis.
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Herold CJ, Lässer MM, Schmid LA, Seidl U, Kong L, Fellhauer I, Thomann PA, Essig M, Schröder J. Neuropsychology, autobiographical memory, and hippocampal volume in "younger" and "older" patients with chronic schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:53. [PMID: 25954208 PMCID: PMC4404739 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a wide range of studies on neuropsychology in schizophrenia, autobiographical memory (AM) has been scarcely investigated in these patients. Hence, less is known about AM in older patients and hippocampal contribution to autobiographical memories of varying remoteness. Therefore, we investigated hippocampal volume and AM along with important neuropsychological domains in patients with chronic schizophrenia and the respective relationships between these parameters. We compared 25 older patients with chronic schizophrenia to 23 younger patients and an older healthy control group (N = 21) with respect to AM, additional neuropsychological parameters, and hippocampal volume. Personal episodic and semantic memory was investigated using a semi-structured interview. Additional neuropsychological parameters were assessed by using a battery of standard neuropsychological tests. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed with an automated region-of-interest procedure. While hippocampal volume reduction and neuropsychological impairment were more pronounced in the older than in the younger patients, both groups showed equivalent reduced AM performance for recent personal episodes. In the patient group, significant correlations between left hippocampal volume and recent autobiographical episodes as well as personal semantic memories arose. Verbal memory and working memory were significantly correlated with right hippocampal volume; executive functions, however, were associated with bilateral hippocampal volumes. These findings underline the complexity of AM and its impairments in the course of schizophrenia in comparison to rather progressive neuropsychological deficits and address the importance of hippocampal contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Josefa Herold
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Marc Montgomery Lässer
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Lena Anna Schmid
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Ulrich Seidl
- Center for Mental Health, Klinikum Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Li Kong
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Iven Fellhauer
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Philipp Arthur Thomann
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Marco Essig
- German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Johannes Schröder
- Section of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany ; Institute of Gerontology, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
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Crabtree GW, Gogos JA. Synaptic plasticity, neural circuits, and the emerging role of altered short-term information processing in schizophrenia. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2014; 6:28. [PMID: 25505409 PMCID: PMC4243504 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity alters the strength of information flow between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and thus modifies the likelihood that action potentials in a presynaptic neuron will lead to an action potential in a postsynaptic neuron. As such, synaptic plasticity and pathological changes in synaptic plasticity impact the synaptic computation which controls the information flow through the neural microcircuits responsible for the complex information processing necessary to drive adaptive behaviors. As current theories of neuropsychiatric disease suggest that distinct dysfunctions in neural circuit performance may critically underlie the unique symptoms of these diseases, pathological alterations in synaptic plasticity mechanisms may be fundamental to the disease process. Here we consider mechanisms of both short-term and long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission and their possible roles in information processing by neural microcircuits in both health and disease. As paradigms of neuropsychiatric diseases with strongly implicated risk genes, we discuss the findings in schizophrenia and autism and consider the alterations in synaptic plasticity and network function observed in both human studies and genetic mouse models of these diseases. Together these studies have begun to point toward a likely dominant role of short-term synaptic plasticity alterations in schizophrenia while dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be due to a combination of both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg W. Crabtree
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A. Gogos
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
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Neill E, Gurvich C, Rossell SL. Category fluency in schizophrenia research: is it an executive or semantic measure? Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2014; 19:81-95. [PMID: 23822137 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2013.807233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The semantic fluency task is described as a measure of semantic function and utilised in schizophrenia (SZ) research to demonstrate semantic deficits. Two meta-analyses support the efficacy of this task in measuring semantic function in SZ; however, a more recent meta-analysis suggests that executive dysfunction is the predominant determinant of semantic fluency performance in this group. By (1) matching the semantic and executive fluency tasks on discriminant validity, and (2) including an additional fluency task containing both semantic and executive elements (animals by size), this study aimed to determine whether semantic fluency is in fact an appropriate measure of semantic function in SZ. METHODS Forty-two SZ participants and 40 healthy controls performed 3 fluency tasks: executive (F, A, S), semantic (body parts), and semantic/executive (animals by size). Performance on these tasks was analysed in two ways, (1) based on discriminant validity and (2) by matching output between the semantic and semantic/executive fluency tasks. RESULTS When the semantic and executive fluency tasks were matched, executive fluency performance was either (1) mildly impaired or (2) not impaired in SZ. Both semantic and semantic/executive performance was impaired in SZ regardless of calculation. Group differences on the semantic/executive task remained when executive function was controlled for, but disappeared when semantic fluency effects were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS The findings support earlier meta-analyses in finding that the semantic fluency task is a robust measure of semantic memory function in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Neill
- a Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences , Monash University and The Alfred Hospital , Melbourne , Australia
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Harvey AG, Lee J, Williams J, Hollon SD, Walker MP, Thompson MA, Smith R. Improving Outcome of Psychosocial Treatments by Enhancing Memory and Learning. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2014; 9:161-79. [PMID: 25544856 PMCID: PMC4276345 DOI: 10.1177/1745691614521781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Mental disorders are prevalent and can lead to significant impairment. Some progress has been made toward establishing treatments; however, effect sizes are small to moderate, gains may not persist, and many patients derive no benefit. Our goal is to highlight the potential for empirically supported psychosocial treatments to be improved by incorporating insights from cognitive psychology and research on education. Our central question is: If it were possible to improve memory for the content of sessions of psychosocial treatments, would outcome substantially improve? We leverage insights from scientific knowledge on learning and memory to derive strategies for transdiagnostic and transtreatment cognitive support interventions. These strategies can be applied within and between sessions and to interventions delivered via computer, the Internet, and text message. Additional novel pathways to improving memory include improving sleep, engaging in exercise, and using imagery. Given that memory processes change across the lifespan, services to children and older adults may benefit from different types and amounts of cognitive support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Joseph Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
| | | | | | | | - Rita Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
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Khan ZU, Martín-Montañez E, Navarro-Lobato I, Muly EC. Memory deficits in aging and neurological diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2014; 122:1-29. [PMID: 24484696 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-420170-5.00001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Memory is central to our ability to perform daily life activities and correctly function in society. Improvements in public health and medical treatment for a variety of diseases have resulted in longer life spans; however, age-related memory impairments have been significant sources of morbidity. Loss in memory function is not only associated with aging population but is also a feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other psychiatric and neurological disorders. Here, we focus on current understanding of the impact of normal aging on memory and what is known about its mechanisms, and further review pathological mechanisms behind the cause of dementia in Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we discuss schizophrenia and look into abnormalities in circuit function and neurotransmitter systems that contribute to memory impairment in this illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zafar U Khan
- Laboratory of Neurobiology at CIMES, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Department of Medicine at Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Elisa Martín-Montañez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology at CIMES, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Department of Pharmacology at Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Irene Navarro-Lobato
- Laboratory of Neurobiology at CIMES, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Department of Medicine at Faculty of Medicine, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - E Chris Muly
- Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurological Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Brébion G, Bressan RA, Ohlsen RI, David AS. A model of memory impairment in schizophrenia: cognitive and clinical factors associated with memory efficiency and memory errors. Schizophr Res 2013; 151:70-7. [PMID: 24113205 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Memory impairments in patients with schizophrenia have been associated with various cognitive and clinical factors. Hallucinations have been more specifically associated with errors stemming from source monitoring failure. METHODS We conducted a broad investigation of verbal memory and visual memory as well as source memory functioning in a sample of patients with schizophrenia. Various memory measures were tallied, and we studied their associations with processing speed, working memory span, and positive, negative, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Superficial and deep memory processes were differentially associated with processing speed, working memory span, avolition, depression, and attention disorders. Auditory/verbal and visual hallucinations were differentially associated with specific types of source memory error. CONCLUSIONS We integrated all the results into a revised version of a previously published model of memory functioning in schizophrenia. The model describes the factors that affect memory efficiency, as well as the cognitive underpinnings of hallucinations within the source monitoring framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Brébion
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, United Kingdom; Unit of Research and Development, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain.
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16
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Brébion G, Villalta-Gil V, Autonell J, Cervilla J, Dolz M, Foix A, Haro JM, Usall J, Vilaplana M, Ochoa S. Cognitive correlates of verbal memory and verbal fluency in schizophrenia, and differential effects of various clinical symptoms between male and female patients. Schizophr Res 2013; 147:81-85. [PMID: 23578747 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairment of higher cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia might stem from perturbation of more basic functions, such as processing speed. Various clinical symptoms might affect cognitive efficiency as well. Notably, previous research has revealed the role of affective symptoms on memory performance in this population, and suggested sex-specific effects. METHOD We conducted a post-hoc analysis of an extensive neuropsychological study of 88 patients with schizophrenia. Regression analyses were conducted on verbal memory and verbal fluency data to investigate the contribution of semantic organisation and processing speed to performance. The role of negative and affective symptoms and of attention disorders in verbal memory and verbal fluency was investigated separately in male and female patients. RESULTS Semantic clustering contributed to verbal recall, and a measure of reading speed contributed to verbal recall as well as to phonological and semantic fluency. Negative symptoms affected verbal recall and verbal fluency in the male patients, whereas attention disorders affected these abilities in the female patients. Furthermore, depression affected verbal recall in women, whereas anxiety affected it in men. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the association of processing speed with cognitive efficiency in patients with schizophrenia. They also confirm the previously observed sex-specific associations of depression and anxiety with memory performance in these patients, and suggest that negative symptoms and attention disorders likewise are related to cognitive efficiency differently in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Brébion
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain.
| | - Victoria Villalta-Gil
- Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, and Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Jaume Autonell
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Cervilla
- Unidad de Salud Mental, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Montserrat Dolz
- Hospital Materno Infantil, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Alexandrina Foix
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Judith Usall
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Miriam Vilaplana
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Susana Ochoa
- Unitat de Recerca, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERSAM, Spain
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17
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Dieleman S, Röder CH. Emotional memory modulation in schizophrenia: an overview. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013; 127:183-94. [PMID: 23216101 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In healthy controls, the emotional charge of stimuli influences how well stimuli are remembered. Although patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) have deficits in memory and in emotional processing, studies on emotional memory modulation (EMM) in SCZ report contradictory results. The aim of this review was to investigate whether methodological differences could explain these contradictory results. METHOD We reviewed the literature to investigate whether task differences could explain these differences. Due to the methodological differences, a meta-analysis was not possible. RESULTS Fourteen studies were identified that used a total of 22 tasks to study EMM in patients with SCZ. Two-thirds of the tasks showed no differences in EMM between patients with SCZ and healthy controls. Differences in EMM were found more often when long-term compared to short-term memory was measured, when memory instructions were implicit instead of explicit and when stronger emotional stimuli were used. An overall memory deficit or the mode of retrieval was not related to EMM. CONCLUSION Deficits in EMM in long-term compared to short-term memory point toward impaired emotional modulation of memory consolidation. Reduced EMM on implicit, but not explicit, tasks suggests a deficit in unconsciously using emotional content to modulate memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dieleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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18
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Lu W, Göder R. Does abnormal non-rapid eye movement sleep impair declarative memory consolidation? Sleep Med Rev 2012; 16:389-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2010] [Revised: 07/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Processing speed and executive functions predict real-world everyday living skills in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2012; 21:315-26. [PMID: 22354179 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-012-0262-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Cognition and clinical variables are known to be among the most predictive factors of real-world social functioning and daily living skills in adult-onset schizophrenia. Fewer studies have focused on their impact in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). The aim of this study is to examine the relationships and the predictive value of cognition and clinical variables on real-world daily living skills in a sample of adolescents with EOS. Cognitive, clinical and real-world everyday living skills measures were administered to 45 clinically and pharmacologically stabilized adolescent outpatients with EOS and 45 healthy control subjects matched by age and sex. Multi-variant analyses to compare cognitive and real-world functioning profiles between patients and controls and regression analysis to identify predictors of real-world functioning scores in patients were used. Adolescents with EOS showed a generalized cognitive and real-world daily living skills dysfunction. Several cognitive and clinical variables significantly correlated with real-world daily living skills functioning but only the processing speed and executive functions emerged as independent predictors of everyday living skills scores, explaining 25.1% of the variance. Slowness in processing information and executive dysfunction showed a significant impact on real-world daily living skills in EOS, independently from clinical symptoms and other cognitive variables. Nevertheless, much of the variance in the daily living skills measure remained unaccounted for, suggesting that other factors were involved as well in this young population.
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Tsai PC, McDowd J, Tang TC, Su CY. Processing Speed Mediates Gender Differences in Memory in Schizophrenia. Clin Neuropsychol 2012; 26:626-40. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2012.678887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Ojeda N, Peña J, Schretlen DJ, Sánchez P, Aretouli E, Elizagárate E, Ezcurra J, Gutiérrez M. Hierarchical structure of the cognitive processes in schizophrenia: the fundamental role of processing speed. Schizophr Res 2012; 135:72-8. [PMID: 22226902 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Decreased processing speed (PS) is a key feature of schizophrenia with respect to cognition, functional outcome and clinical symptoms. Our objective was to test whether PS slowing mediates other neuropsychological deficits among patients with chronic schizophrenia. METHOD One hundred patients with schizophrenia and 53 healthy adults completed a series of neuropsychological measures that assess six cognitive domains. In addition to PS these included attention, verbal memory, visual memory, working memory, and executive functioning. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the fit of the 6-factor model. The cognitive performances of both groups were compared before and after controlling for the effect of PS, but also after controlling for the effect of each cognitive factor at a time. Finally, the PS-related variance was removed and the effect of the other cognitive factors was tested again. RESULTS CFA supported the hypothesized 6-factor cognitive structure. As expected, the patients and controls differed on all cognitive measures. However, after controlling for the effects of PS, group differences on the other five cognitive factors decreased substantially. Controlling for other factors produced smaller attenuation of group differences, and these effects were also partially accounted for by decreased PS. CONCLUSIONS PS deficits account for most of the differences in cognition between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. PS slowing appears to be a core feature of schizophrenia, one that underlies impairments of working memory, executive functioning, and other abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ojeda
- Department of Psychology, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain.
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22
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Abstract
Abnormalities in oscillations have been suggested to play a role in schizophrenia. We studied theta-modulated gamma oscillations in a computer model of hippocampal CA3 in vivo with and without simulated application of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist and psychotomimetic. Networks of 1200 multicompartment neurons [pyramidal, basket, and oriens-lacunosum moleculare (OLM) cells] generated theta and gamma oscillations from intrinsic network dynamics: basket cells primarily generated gamma and amplified theta, while OLM cells strongly contributed to theta. Extrinsic medial septal inputs paced theta and amplified both theta and gamma oscillations. Exploration of NMDA receptor reduction across all location combinations demonstrated that the experimentally observed ketamine effect occurred only with isolated reduction of NMDA receptors on OLMs. In the ketamine simulations, lower OLM activity reduced theta power and disinhibited pyramidal cells, resulting in increased basket cell activation and gamma power. Our simulations predict the following: (1) ketamine increases firing rates; (2) oscillations can be generated by intrinsic hippocampal circuits; (3) medial-septum inputs pace and augment oscillations; (4) pyramidal cells lead basket cells at the gamma peak but lag at trough; (5) basket cells amplify theta rhythms; (6) ketamine alters oscillations due to primary blockade at OLM NMDA receptors; (7) ketamine alters phase relationships of cell firing; (8) ketamine reduces network responsivity to the environment; (9) ketamine effect could be reversed by providing a continuous inward current to OLM cells. We suggest that this last prediction has implications for a possible novel treatment for cognitive deficits of schizophrenia by targeting OLM cells.
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Processing speed and working memory span: their differential role in superficial and deep memory processes in schizophrenia. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2011; 17:485-93. [PMID: 21382220 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617711000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Previous work has suggested that decrement in both processing speed and working memory span plays a role in the memory impairment observed in patients with schizophrenia. We undertook a study to examine simultaneously the effect of these two factors. A sample of 49 patients with schizophrenia and 43 healthy controls underwent a battery of verbal and visual memory tasks. Superficial and deep encoding memory measures were tallied. We conducted regression analyses on the various memory measures, using processing speed and working memory span as independent variables. In the patient group, processing speed was a significant predictor of superficial and deep memory measures in verbal and visual memory. Working memory span was an additional significant predictor of the deep memory measures only. Regression analyses involving all participants revealed that the effect of diagnosis on all the deep encoding memory measures was reduced to non-significance when processing speed was entered in the regression. Decreased processing speed is involved in verbal and visual memory deficit in patients, whether the task require superficial or deep encoding. Working memory is involved only insofar as the task requires a certain amount of effort.
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Sauzéon H, Déjos M, Lestage P, Arvind Pala P, N'kaoua B. Developmental differences in explicit and implicit conceptual memory tests: a processing view account. Child Neuropsychol 2011; 18:23-49. [PMID: 21500114 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2011.557652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The present study addressed contradictory results in childhood literature about conceptual priming. Based on the processing view, two forms of conceptual priming were investigated across two experiments in children aged from 7 to 16: associative priming (using the free-association test) and relational (categorical) priming (using the categorical exemplar generation test) as well as their explicit memory measure counterparts (the associative-cued recall and the category-cued recall). Experiment 1 compared age differences in associative and relational (categorical) priming. Experiment 2 focused on relational (categorical) priming with manipulations of blocked/unblocked words per category. The results showed that (a) associative priming was unchanged in children aged from 7 to 16, whereas relational (categorical) priming improved from 7-9 to 13-16 years old, and (b) age differences in relational (categorical) priming still occurred under unblocked conditions and blocked condition, while age differences in explicit measures were reduced under blocked conditions. These findings were discussed in line with the debate between the system and processing view and in terms of knowledge and automaticity development.
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Coleman MJ, Titone D, Krastoshevsky O, Krause V, Huang Z, Mendell NR, Eichenbaum H, Levy DL. Reinforcement ambiguity and novelty do not account for transitive inference deficits in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2010; 36:1187-200. [PMID: 19460878 PMCID: PMC2963057 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbp039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The capacity for transitive inference (TI), a form of relational memory organization, is impaired in schizophrenia patients. In order to disambiguate deficits in TI from the effects of ambiguous reinforcement history and novelty, 28 schizophrenia and 20 nonpsychiatric control subjects were tested on newly developed TI and non-TI tasks that were matched on these 2 variables. Schizophrenia patients performed significantly worse than controls on the TI task but were able to make equivalently difficult nontransitive judgments as well as controls. Neither novelty nor reinforcement ambiguity accounted for the selective deficit of the patients on the TI task. These findings implicate a disturbance in relational memory organization, likely subserved by hippocampal dysfunction, in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debra Titone
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Verena Krause
- Psychology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478
| | - Zhuying Huang
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Nancy R. Mendell
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | | | - Deborah L. Levy
- Psychology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 617-855-2854, fax: 617-855-2778, e-mail:
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Leeson VC, Barnes TRE, Harrison M, Matheson E, Harrison I, Mutsatsa SH, Ron MA, Joyce EM. The relationship between IQ, memory, executive function, and processing speed in recent-onset psychosis: 1-year stability and clinical outcome. Schizophr Bull 2010; 36:400-9. [PMID: 18682375 PMCID: PMC2833117 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbn100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies commonly report poor performance in psychotic patients compared with controls on tasks testing a range of cognitive functions, but, because current IQ is often not matched between these groups, it is difficult to determine whether this represents a generalized deficit or specific abnormalities. Fifty-three first-episode psychosis patients and 53 healthy controls, one-to-one matched for sex, age, and full-scale current IQ, were compared on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) subtests representing indices of perceptual organization, verbal comprehension, processing speed, and working memory as well as other tests of executive function and episodic memory. The groups showed an equivalent pattern of performance on all WAIS subtests except digit symbol processing speed, on which the patients were significantly worse. Patients were also worse on measures where performance correlated with digit symbol score, namely working and verbal memory tasks. Standardized residual scores for each subtest were calculated for each patient using the difference between their actual subtest score and a predicted subtest score based on their full-scale IQ and the performance of controls. Scaled scores and residual scores were examined for relationships with clinical measures. Digit symbol-scaled score was significantly correlated with concurrent negative syndrome score at baseline, and digit symbol residual score significantly predicted residual negative symptoms at 1-year follow-up. In summary, our comparison of patients and controls precisely matched for IQ revealed that processing speed was attenuated in recent-onset schizophrenia, contributed significantly to working and episodic memory deficits, and was a prognostic factor for poor outcome at 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verity C. Leeson
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Charing Cross, Campus, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RF, UK; tel: 0208-383-0730, fax: 0208-383-0731, e-mail:
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Matheson
- Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, UK,Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK
| | | | | | - Maria A. Ron
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK
| | - Eileen M. Joyce
- Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, UK,Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK
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Van Snellenberg JX. Working memory and long-term memory deficits in schizophrenia: is there a common substrate? Psychiatry Res 2009; 174:89-96. [PMID: 19837568 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2008] [Revised: 04/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia exhibit substantial deficits in both working memory (WM) and long-term memory (LTM) tasks. While these two forms of memory are generally viewed as distinct, recent evidence from healthy subjects has challenged the robustness of the double-dissociation between these two types of memory. In light of an emerging view of WM and LTM as being subserved by a largely overlapping network of brain regions, it is possible that WM and LTM deficits in patients with schizophrenia share a common neurobiological substrate. This review revisits the functional neuroimaging literature on both WM and LTM in patients with schizophrenia with these considerations in mind, and reveals a number of commonalities in research findings in both literatures. While there is a paucity of direct evidence bearing on whether patient deficits in these tasks arise from a common functional abnormality, the available literature is consistent with the hypothesis that these deficits have the same origin.
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Doughty OJ, Done DJ. Is semantic memory impaired in schizophrenia? A systematic review and meta-analysis of 91 studies. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2009; 14:473-509. [PMID: 19894144 DOI: 10.1080/13546800903073291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Semantic memory impairments in schizophrenia have been reported across a wide range of neuropsychological tests. Set against a backdrop of fairly widespread cognitive impairments, it is difficult to know whether there is a primary, or secondary, impairment of semantic memory in schizophrenia. Also, whether there is a profile of differential impairment across the range of neuropsychological tests. METHODS Employing a systematic search strategy, 91 papers were identified which have assessed participants with schizophrenia on a measure of semantic memory. A series of meta-analyses were then conducted which provided combined weighted means for performance on tasks of naming, word-picture matching, verbal fluency, priming, and categorisation. RESULTS An uneven profile of impairment is reported with large effect sizes for tests of naming and verbal fluency, medium effect sizes for word-picture matching and association and small effect sizes for categorisation and priming tests. CONCLUSIONS This uneven profile supports the claim that a degradation of semantic knowledge may not be adequate in explaining the semantic memory impairment in schizophrenia. This conclusion is supported by the data which report a relationship between an executive dysfunction and poor priming and fluency performance particularly. The data support a link between Formal Thought Disorder and semantic memory impairments on tests of naming and verbal fluency but on other tests evidence is equivocal.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Doughty
- School of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
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29
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Leeson VC, Robbins TW, Franklin C, Harrison M, Harrison I, Ron MA, Barnes TRE, Joyce EM. Dissociation of long-term verbal memory and fronto-executive impairment in first-episode psychosis. Psychol Med 2009; 39:1799-1808. [PMID: 19419594 PMCID: PMC2758301 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291709005935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2008] [Revised: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Verbal memory is frequently and severely affected in schizophrenia and has been implicated as a mediator of poor clinical outcome. Whereas encoding deficits are well demonstrated, it is unclear whether retention is impaired. This distinction is important because accelerated forgetting implies impaired consolidation attributable to medial temporal lobe (MTL) dysfunction whereas impaired encoding and retrieval implicates involvement of prefrontal cortex. METHOD We assessed a group of healthy volunteers (n=97) and pre-morbid IQ- and sex-matched first-episode psychosis patients (n=97), the majority of whom developed schizophrenia. We compared performance of verbal learning and recall with measures of visuospatial working memory, planning and attentional set-shifting, and also current IQ. RESULTS All measures of performance, including verbal memory retention, a memory savings score that accounted for learning impairments, were significantly impaired in the schizophrenia group. The difference between groups for delayed recall remained even after the influence of learning and recall was accounted for. Factor analyses showed that, in patients, all variables except verbal memory retention loaded on a single factor, whereas in controls verbal memory and fronto-executive measures were separable. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that IQ, executive function and verbal learning deficits in schizophrenia may reflect a common abnormality of information processing in prefrontal cortex rather than specific impairments in different cognitive domains. Verbal memory retention impairments, however, may have a different aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C Leeson
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK.
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Liu Y, Chen J, Song T, Hu C, Tang Y, Zhang X, Zhao J. Contribution of K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 in MK-801-induced impairment of long term potentiation. Behav Brain Res 2009; 201:300-4. [PMID: 19428648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2008] [Revised: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that GABAergic disinhibition contributes to cognitive deficits mediated by NMDA receptor hypofunction in schizophrenia model of rats. However, the underlying mechanism of GABAergic disinhibition in schizophrenia remains elusive. In this study, we found that the maintenance of long term potentiation (LTP) was impaired in the hippocampus of rats with MK-801-induced cognitive impairments. The impairment of LTP maintenance was significantly reversed by picrotoxinin, a specific GABA(A) receptor-chloride channel blocker and furosemide, a K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2) blocker, respectively. Furthermore, immunoblotting results indicated KCC2 expression in hippocampal CA1 of MK-801-treated rats was lower than that of normal rats before LTP induction. Additionally, LTP-accompanied downregulation of KCC2 was prevented in MK-801-treated rats during LTP induction. Our results suggested that KCC2 expression in hippocampal CA1 of MK-801-treated rats was not further decreased by LTP induction because of its low expression caused by MK-801 treatment. Accordingly, GABAergic inhibition was not further decreased during LTP induction due to the depressed basal GABAergic tone in MK-801-treated rats, Therefore, GABAergic disinhibition in MK-801-treated rats restricts the further downregulation of KCC2 during LTP induction and contributes to the stable GABAergic inhibition and the impaired LTP expression. Our results thus reveal the mechanism that GABAergic disinhibition contributes to cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139# Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
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Niendam TA, Jalbrzikowski M, Bearden CE. Exploring predictors of outcome in the psychosis prodrome: implications for early identification and intervention. Neuropsychol Rev 2009; 19:280-93. [PMID: 19597747 PMCID: PMC2745530 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-009-9108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Functional disability is a key component of many psychiatric illnesses, particularly schizophrenia. Impairments in social and role functioning are linked to cognitive deficits, a core feature of psychosis. Retrospective analyses demonstrate that substantial functional decline precedes the onset of psychosis. Recent investigations reveal that individuals at clinical-high-risk (CHR) for psychosis show impairments in social relationships, work/school functioning and daily living skills. CHR youth also demonstrate a pattern of impairment across a range of cognitive domains, including social cognition, which is qualitatively similar to that of individuals with schizophrenia. While many studies have sought to elucidate predictors of clinical deterioration, specifically the development of schizophrenia, in such CHR samples, few have investigated factors relevant to psychosocial outcome. This review integrates recent findings regarding cognitive and social-cognitive predictors of outcome in CHR individuals, and proposes potential directions for future research that will contribute to targeted interventions and improved outcome for at-risk youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara A Niendam
- UC Davis Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis Imaging Research Center, 4701 X Street, Suite E, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Memory impairment is being recognized increasingly as an important feature of the neuropsychology of schizophrenia. Dysfunction of working memory, a system for the short-term storage and manipulation of information, may relate to a number of core symptoms of schizophrenia. Many studies have examined working memory function in schizophrenia but a clear understanding of the nature and extent of any deficit has been elusive. METHOD A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing working memory function in subjects with schizophrenia and healthy controls was performed. Following a comprehensive literature search, meta-analyses were conducted on 36 measures of phonological, visuospatial and central executive working memory functioning, encompassing 441 separate results from 187 different studies. RESULTS Statistically significant effect sizes were found for all working memory measures, indicating deficits in schizophrenia groups. Some of these were robust findings in the absence of evidence of significant heterogeneity or publication bias. Meta-regression analyses showed that the working memory deficit was not simply explained by discrepancies in current IQ between schizophrenia and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Large deficits in working memory were demonstrated in schizophrenia groups across all three working memory domains. There were, however, no clear differences across subdomains or between particular working memory tasks. There was substantial heterogeneity across results that could only be partly explained.
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Doré MC, Caza N, Gingras N, Maziade M, Rouleau N. Effects of phonological and semantic cuing on encoding and retrieval processes in adolescent psychosis. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2009; 31:533-44. [DOI: 10.1080/13803390802317567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Doré
- a École de psychologie, Pavillon F.A. Savard , Université Laval , Québec, Québec, Canada
- b Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard , Beauport, Québec, Canada
| | - Nicole Caza
- c Centre de Recherche , Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal , Montréal, Québec, Canada
- d Département de Psychologie , Université de Montréal , Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Gingras
- e Centre de Pédopsychiatrie , Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec , Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Maziade
- b Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard , Beauport, Québec, Canada
| | - Nancie Rouleau
- a École de psychologie, Pavillon F.A. Savard , Université Laval , Québec, Québec, Canada
- b Centre de Recherche Université Laval Robert-Giffard , Beauport, Québec, Canada
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Taconnat L, Raz N, Toczé C, Bouazzaoui B, Sauzéon H, Fay S, Isingrini M. Ageing and organisation strategies in free recall: The role of cognitive flexibility. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/09541440802296413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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IQ as a predictor of functional outcome in schizophrenia: a longitudinal, four-year study of first-episode psychosis. Schizophr Res 2009; 107:55-60. [PMID: 18793828 PMCID: PMC2631642 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2008.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Revised: 07/16/2008] [Accepted: 08/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies of established schizophrenia have consistently found that cognitive function predicts social and clinical outcomes. The findings from first-episode studies have been more variable, with only some studies reporting predictive relationships. We tested the possibility that an index of general cognitive ability, IQ, may be a more sensitive and reliable predictor of outcome in first-episode schizophrenia than specific measures of memory and executive function. Fifty-four patients with first-episode schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed for cognitive and social function as well as symptoms at three time points over the four years following first presentation of their psychotic illness. Regression analyses were performed to determine whether IQ and specific neuropsychological measures at first episode and one-year follow-up predicted four-year social function and residual symptoms. The effects of premorbid and concurrent IQ on outcome were also assessed. Premorbid IQ and IQ at each assessment significantly predicted social function at four-year follow-up. This relationship remained significant after the social function or symptom scores at first presentation were accounted for in the regression. Specific measures predicted certain domains of social function, but these were weaker and less consistent than IQ. The predictive values of cognition on residual symptoms were less strong; the most consistent finding was a relationship between IQ and the negative syndrome. This study suggests that early in the course of schizophrenia, general cognitive ability, as measured by IQ, is a more sensitive and reliable predictor of functional outcome than measures of specific ability.
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Brébion G, Bressan RA, David AS, Pilowsky LS. Role of processing speed and premorbid IQ on visual recognition in patients with schizophrenia. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2008; 31:302-11. [PMID: 18608649 DOI: 10.1080/13803390802108362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous research had shown that processing speed and premorbid IQ are predictors of verbal-memory efficiency in patients with schizophrenia. We investigated whether the same factors are involved in visual memory. A total of 49 patients with schizophrenia and 43 healthy controls were administered a picture recognition task. Half of the pictures were black and white, and half were in color, in order to vary the depth of encoding. Processing speed was measured by three standard tasks, and premorbid IQ was measured by the National Adult Reading Test (NART). Patients were significantly impaired in picture recognition. Regression analyses revealed that NART score was a significant predictor of the recognition of both types of picture in patients. Processing speed was a significant predictor of the recognition of the colored pictures. The effect of diagnosis on the recognition of colored pictures was reduced to nonsignificance when processing speed was entered in the regression. These data suggest that premorbid IQ is involved in visual-recognition efficiency. However, the deficit observed in patients is accounted for by decreased processing speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Brébion
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
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Dickinson D, Gold JM. Less unique variance than meets the eye: overlap among traditional neuropsychological dimensions in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2008; 34:423-34. [PMID: 17702991 PMCID: PMC2632436 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbm092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The magnitude of the overlap among dimensions of neuropsychological test performance in schizophrenia has been the subject of perennial controversy. This issue has taken on renewed importance with the recent focus on cognition as a treatment target in schizophrenia. A substantial body of factor analytic literature indicates that dimensions are separable in schizophrenia. However, this literature is generally uninformative as to whether the separable dimensions are independent, weakly correlated, or strongly correlated. Factor analyses have often used methods (ie, principal components analysis with orthogonal rotation) that preclude this determination, and correlations among factor-based domain composites and underlying measures have been reported infrequently in these studies. Current meta-analyses of reported "between-dimension" correlations for individual neuropsychological measures and for cognitive domain composite variables indicate that cognition variables in schizophrenia are correlated, on average, at a "medium" level of r = 0.37 for individual measures from different cognitive dimensions and r = 0.45 for domain composites. Because these are mean bivariate correlations, the multiple correlation of an individual measure with all the other measures in a cognitive battery is likely to be higher. Measure reliabilities of 0.80 or less also imply greater commonality among traditional neuropsychological measures. In short, there are underappreciated constraints on the amount of reliable cognitive performance variance in traditional neuropsychological test batteries that is free to vary independently. The ability of such batteries to reveal cognitive domain-specific treatment effects in schizophrenia may be much more limited than is generally assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwight Dickinson
- VISN 5 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Rodríguez-Sánchez JM, Crespo-Facorro B, González-Blanch C, Perez-Iglesias R, Vázquez-Barquero JL. Cognitive dysfunction in first-episode psychosis: the processing speed hypothesis. Br J Psychiatry 2008; 51:s107-10. [PMID: 18055925 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.191.51.s107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Speed of processing is a cognitive process underlying cognitive dysfunction in people with chronic schizophrenia. AIMS To investigate the contribution of speed of processing to the cognitive deficits observed in a representative large sample with first-episode schizophrenia. METHOD People with a diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (n=26) and healthy controls (n=28) were compared on several cognitive measures before and after controlling for speed of processing. RESULTS Before controlling for speed of processing, patients and controls differed significantly on all cognitive measures. All significant differences in cognitive functioning disappeared when the result of the Digital Symbol Substitution Test was included as an additional covariate. CONCLUSIONS Speed of information processing may be considered a core cognitive deficit in schizophrenia and might be mediating a broader diversity of cognitive disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Rodríguez-Sánchez
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Planta 2a, Edificio 2 de Noviembre, Avda, Valdecilla s/n, 39008, Santander, Spain
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Li Y, Tong S, Liu D, Gai Y, Wang X, Wang J, Qiu Y, Zhu Y. Abnormal EEG complexity in patients with schizophrenia and depression. Clin Neurophysiol 2008; 119:1232-41. [PMID: 18396454 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2008.01.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2006] [Revised: 01/14/2008] [Accepted: 01/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Schizophrenics are usually unable to perform well on cognitive tasks due to disturbances in cortical information processing that are observable as abnormalities in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. However, whether such cortical disturbances can be assessed by quantitative EEG analysis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize EEG disturbances, using the Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC), in the subjects with schizophrenia at rest or while performing mental arithmetic tasks. The results were compared to those from the subjects with depression and with healthy controls. METHODS The subjects included 62 schizophrenia patients, 48 depression patients and 26 age-matched healthy controls. EEG was recorded under two conditions: (i) resting with eyes closed, and (ii) a mentally active condition wherein the subjects were asked to subtract 7 from 100 iteratively with their eyes closed. EEG signals were analyzed by LZC and conventional spectral methods. RESULTS In all the groups, LZC of EEG decreased during the mental arithmetic compared with those under the resting conditions. Both the schizophrenia and the depression groups had a higher LZC (p<0.05) than the controls. Also, the schizophrenia group had a lower LZC (p<0.05) than the depression group during the mental arithmetic task as well as during the resting state. Significant differences in LZC, at some symmetrically located loci (FP1/FP2, F7/F8), between the two hemispheres were found in all the patient groups only during the arithmetic task. CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional spectral analysis, LZC was more sensitive to both the power spectrum and the temporal amplitude distribution. LZC was associated with the ability to attend to the task and adapt the information processing system to the cognitive challenge. Thus, it would be useful in studying the disturbances in the cortical information processing patients with depression or schizophrenia. SIGNIFICANCE LZC of EEG is associated with mental activity. Thus, LZC analysis can be an important tool in understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and depression in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Li
- School of Communication and Information Engineering, Shanghai University, P.O. #01, 149 Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, PR China.
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Processing speed mediates the relationship between verbal memory, verbal fluency, and functional outcome in chronic schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2008; 101:225-33. [PMID: 18261885 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.12.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 12/18/2007] [Accepted: 12/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Verbal fluency and verbal memory have been reported to be diminished in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits could partially predict functional disability in this pathology. However, processing speed often mediates the relationship among cognitive processes in the disorder. Our goal was to analyse the influence of processing speed as mediator of the relation between verbal fluency-verbal memory and functional disability in chronic schizophrenia. We examined 90 hospitalized patients and 30 healthy controls (matched for gender, age and years of education). The neuropsychological battery included tests for verbal fluency, verbal memory, motor speed and processing speed. Outcome measures included Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS-WHO) and number of hospitalizations (NH). Results confirmed chronicity on clinical symptoms (PANSS total X=48.94+14.97 PANSS negative X=27.81+10.18, PANSS positive X=23.51+10.81) and impairment on functional disability (DAS-WHO X=13.62+4.28). As expected, verbal fluency was severely impaired in patients and significantly predicted functional outcome. Immediate and Delayed Verbal Memory were also severely impaired and predicted functional outcome. However, when processing speed was entered in the regression analyses the significance of verbal fluency and verbal memory decreased significantly. Sobel's equation was significant, suggesting full mediation. Our findings suggest that processing speed may be a central factor in the relation between cognitive symptoms and functional outcome in chronic schizophrenia.
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Long-term effects of risperidone versus haloperidol on verbal memory, attention, and symptomatology in schizophrenia. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2008; 14:110-8. [PMID: 18078537 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617708080090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2007] [Revised: 07/09/2007] [Accepted: 07/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence in the literature that cognitive functions in schizophrenia (SC) may be improved by atypical neuroleptics (NLPs) in contrast to typical medication, but there is still controversy regarding this apparent superiority of atypical drugs. In this study, we assessed the differential effects of risperidone and haloperidol on verbal memory, attention, and psychiatric symptoms in SC. The performance of 28 SC participants, randomly assigned to risperidone (2-6 mg/day) or haloperidol (2-40 mg/day), was compared with that of healthy controls. The California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), the d2 Cancellation Test, and the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale were administered at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Relative to controls, all SC participants showed markedly impaired verbal memory and processing speed at each assessment period. There was no differential effect between the two NLPs on CVLT and d2 performance. However, risperidone was more effective than haloperidol in reducing psychiatric symptoms. Improvement in symptom severity was not associated with improvement in neurocognitive performance on these specific tests. Neither conventional nor atypical neuroleptic medications improved neurocognitive functioning over a 12-month follow-up, suggesting that psychopathological improvement under risperidone is independent of cognitive function.
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Godbout L, Limoges F, Allard I, Braun CMJ, Stip E. Neuropsychological and activity of daily living script performance in patients with positive or negative schizophrenia. Compr Psychiatry 2007; 48:293-302. [PMID: 17445526 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2006] [Revised: 12/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive and psychiatric determinants of impairment of complex activities of daily living (ADLs) were investigated in 33 schizophrenic patients and 16 normal comparison subjects. The schizophrenic patients were cognitively impaired and were deficient in the ADL. However, the impairment of ADL could not be explained specifically by impairment of higher-order executive function or by negative symptoms: memory functions were more related to impairment of ADL and positive symptoms as much as the negative ones. Positive symptoms were significantly related to commissive errors in the ADL, whereas negative symptoms were nonsignificantly related to omissive errors. Negative symptoms were significantly more related to memory impairment than to impairment on measures of higher-order executive function (working memory). This investigation demonstrates that an ecologically oriented approach to test development and measurement of ADL is fruitful in understanding schizophrenia-especially if it is constrained by cognitive constructs compatible with the phenomenology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Godbout
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada G4A 5H7
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Goverover Y, Genova HM, Hillary FG, DeLuca J. The relationship between neuropsychological measures and the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living task in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2007; 13:636-44. [PMID: 17548444 DOI: 10.1177/1352458506072984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can result in cognitive deficits and a loss of functional independence. To date, little research has linked the observed cognitive and behavioral deficits in MS, especially those in the processing speed domain, to performance on tasks of everyday functioning. The present study examined the relationship between neuropsychological test performance and performance on the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living task (TIADL) in individuals with MS, and in healthy controls (HCs). The TIADL is a functional measure, which assesses both accuracy and speed in one's performance of everyday activities. The MS group performed significantly worse on the TIADL relative to the HC group. Additionally, TIADL scores of individuals with MS were significantly correlated with neuropsychological measures of processing speed. TIADL scores were not, however, correlated with neuropsychological measures of verbal episodic memory or working memory. These results indicate that the impairments in processing speed may contribute to impairments in activities of everyday living in persons with MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 636-644. http://msj.sagepub.com
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Goverover
- Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA
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Boyer P, Phillips JL, Rousseau FL, Ilivitsky S. Hippocampal abnormalities and memory deficits: new evidence of a strong pathophysiological link in schizophrenia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:92-112. [PMID: 17306884 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2006.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2006] [Revised: 10/07/2006] [Accepted: 12/20/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The central goals of this manuscript are (1) to better characterize what appears to be the most parsimonious account of schizophrenic long-term memory impairment in the neuropsychological literature: a contextual binding deficit rooted in the medial temporal lobes; (2) to link this deficit to concrete abnormalities at the level of the hippocampus; and (3) to suggest that this deficit could lead to the functional impairment experienced by schizophrenia patients in their daily lives. As far as long-term memory is concerned in schizophrenia, there seems to be a general agreement to conclude that explicit mechanisms are disturbed compared to relatively spared implicit mechanisms. More precisely, both subsystems of explicit memory (i.e., episodic and semantic) appear to be dysfunctional in this patient population. Errors during the encoding processes could be responsible for this dysfunction even if retrieval per se is not totally spared. Recently, a number of studies have suggested that impairments in conscious recollection and contextual binding are closely linked to episodic memory deficit. Since the hippocampal formation is considered to be the central element in the neural support for contextual binding and episodic memory, we have conducted an extensive review of the literature concerning the hippocampal formation in schizophrenia. Emerging evidence from varying disciplines confirm the coherence of the different anomalies reported concurrently at the neuroanatomical, neurodevelopmental, biochemical, and genetic levels. It seems highly probable that the synaptic disorganization in the hippocampus concerns the regions crucial for encoding and contextual binding memory processes. The consequences of these deficits could result in schizophrenia patients experiencing major difficulties when facing usual events which have not been encoded with their proper context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Boyer
- Schizophrenia Research Unit, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 7K4.
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Brébion G, David AS, Bressan RA, Pilowsky LS. Role of processing speed and depressed mood on encoding, storage, and retrieval memory functions in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2007; 13:99-107. [PMID: 17166308 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617707070014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2006] [Revised: 08/11/2006] [Accepted: 08/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The role of various types of slowing of processing speed, as well as the role of depressed mood, on each stage of verbal memory functioning in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia was investigated. Mixed lists of high- and low-frequency words were presented, and immediate and delayed free recall and recognition were required. Two levels of encoding were studied by contrasting the relatively automatic encoding of the high-frequency words and the more effortful encoding of the low-frequency words. Storage was studied by contrasting immediate and delayed recall. Retrieval was studied by contrasting free recall and recognition. Three tests of motor and cognitive processing speed were administered as well. Regression analyses involving the three processing speed measures revealed that cognitive speed was the only predictor of the recall and recognition of the low-frequency words. Furthermore, slowing in cognitive speed accounted for the deficit in recall and recognition of the low-frequency words relative to a healthy control group. Depressed mood was significantly associated with recognition of the low-frequency words. Neither processing speed nor depressed mood was associated with storage efficiency. It is concluded that both cognitive speed slowing and depressed mood impact on effortful encoding processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Brébion
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom.
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Flügel D, O'Toole A, Thompson PJ, Koepp MJ, Cercignani M, Symms MR, Foong J. A neuropsychological study of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and chronic interictal psychosis. Epilepsy Res 2006; 71:117-28. [PMID: 16806833 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2006.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2005] [Revised: 05/23/2006] [Accepted: 05/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the pattern of cognitive deficits in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and interictal (schizophrenia-like) psychosis and to examine the relationship between neuropsychological deficits and Magnetization transfer imaging. METHODS Twenty patients with TLE and interictal psychosis were compared to 20 non-psychotic TLE patients. Patients were matched with respect to premorbid IQ, age and conventional MRI findings. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered. The neuropsychological tests which showed significant group differences were used for correlational analysis with magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which provides a quantitative measure of macromolecular structural integrity. RESULTS Patients with interictal psychosis were significantly more impaired on executive and semantic memory tasks than the non-psychotic TLE group. Vocabulary test scores correlated significantly with MTR reduction in the left fusiform gyrus in the psychotic but not the non-psychotic group. DISCUSSION In this study, patients with TLE and interictal psychosis were more cognitively impaired than non-psychotic TLE patients. Our findings suggest that the cognitive deterioration in these patients may occur as the illness progresses and the causes for this are probably multifactorial. Our study also provides further evidence that MTR may be useful in investigating structural correlates of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Flügel
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC 1N 3BG, UK
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Brébion G, David AS, Bressan RA, Pilowsky LS. Processing speed: a strong predictor of verbal memory performance in schizophrenia. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2006; 28:370-82. [PMID: 16618626 DOI: 10.1080/13803390590935390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The role of slowing of processing speed in verbal memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia was investigated. Forty-one patients with schizophrenia and 41 healthy control subjects were administered a verbal memory task involving free recall of three lists of words, which varied in their degree of semantic organization. Standard processing speed tests were administered as well. Regression analyses were conducted on the number of words recalled in each list. A global processing speed measure was a significant predictor of the recall of each list in patients. Patients were very significantly impaired in the recall of the three lists relative to healthy controls. However, when the processing speed measure was entered in the regression, the significance of diagnosis was considerably reduced for one of the lists, with no semantic organization, and eliminated for the other two lists which contained semantic organization. These findings suggest that slowing in processing speed is an important contributor to verbal memory impairment in patients with schizophrenia. The possible role of various specific slowing functions is discussed.
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Whyte MC, Brett C, Harrison LK, Byrne M, Miller P, Lawrie SM, Johnstone EC. Neuropsychological performance over time in people at high risk of developing schizophrenia and controls. Biol Psychiatry 2006; 59:730-9. [PMID: 16388781 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2004] [Revised: 10/20/2004] [Accepted: 08/11/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropsychological assessments of relatives of schizophrenics have shown subtle impairments in verbal memory, executive and intellectual function, which are stable in those beyond the age of maximum risk for the disorder. We sought to: (1) determine baseline neurocognitive predictors of psychosis, and (2) compare performance over time between relatives within the age of maximum risk, and controls. METHODS (1) and (2) were examined in 118 individuals at familial high risk of schizophrenia (HR) and 30 controls (C), using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and repeated measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), controlling for intelligence quotient, time between and number of assessments, and correcting for multiple comparisons. RESULTS HR who became ill (n = 13) performed nonsignificantly less well at baseline than HR who did not (n = 105) on a test of verbal learning (t(109) = 2.1, p = .03). Across assessments, C performed significantly better than the entire HR group on immediate (F(3,133) = 5.11, p = .002) and delayed (F(3,133) = 5.02, p = .002) story recall. There were no significant interactions of time by group. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest greater verbal memory impairment in HR who go on to develop schizophrenia. Stable differences between groups over time suggest a trait deficit, which is relatively unaffected by the presence of psychotic symptoms and psychosis onset. Alternatively, small numbers may have precluded detection of group by time interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Whyte
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Gorissen M, Sanz JC, Schmand B. Effort and cognition in schizophrenia patients. Schizophr Res 2005; 78:199-208. [PMID: 16154055 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2005.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2004] [Revised: 02/21/2005] [Accepted: 02/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether low cognitive test scores in schizophrenia patients are due to insufficient effort and, if so, to what extent. METHOD Mental effort was measured with the Word Memory Test (WMT), an effort test that has been extensively validated. Schizophrenic patients (n=64), non-psychotic psychiatric patients (n=63), neurological controls (n=20), and normal controls (n=44) were tested with a neuropsychological test battery measuring memory, attention and executive functioning. RESULTS The majority of the schizophrenia patients and a quarter of the psychiatric patients scored below the cut-offs for normal effort on the WMT. Scores on the effort test explained a significant amount of variance in the neuropsychological test performance of schizophrenic patients. This lends support to the notion that cognitive functioning in schizophrenia is compromised by insufficient effort. Furthermore, poor mental effort was related to negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Poor mental effort might be considered a core symptom of schizophrenia, representing an executive, monitoring or motivational problem. Mental effort should be taken into consideration in the neuropsychological assessment of schizophrenic patients and of psychiatric patients in general. Controlling for this variable may have a considerable impact on research, assessment and treatment of cognitive disorders in schizophrenic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle Gorissen
- Psychiatric hospital Meerkanten, Veldwijk Research Institute, PO box 1000, 3850 BA Ermelo, The Netherlands.
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Brébion G, David AS, Bressan RA, Pilowsky LS. Word frequency effects on free recall and recognition in patients with schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2005; 39:215-22. [PMID: 15589571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2004.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Revised: 04/30/2004] [Accepted: 05/28/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Word frequency paradigms have been used repeatedly in healthy populations to help understand the functioning of verbal memory. We investigated the word frequency effects in a sample of patients with schizophrenia, assuming these data may shed light on certain encoding processes. METHODS Two mixed lists of high- and low-frequency words were presented to 46 patients with schizophrenia and 43 healthy control subjects. List learning was followed by free recall and recognition in immediate and delayed conditions. RESULTS Overall the high-frequency words were better recalled, whereas the low-frequency words were better recognised. The lack of interaction with diagnosis indicates that these effects were equivalent in both groups. In immediate recognition, the discrimination deficit for the high-frequency words in patients tended to be increased relative to that for the low-frequency words, suggesting greater impairment in the encoding of those words. CONCLUSION It is argued that the encoding of the distinct low-frequency words is less efficient in patients, but qualitatively unimpaired. By contrast, the familiar words might be more difficult for patients to encode, as they are more easily confused with other common words stored in long-term memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Brébion
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, 103 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, UK.
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