Cognitive functions in schizophrenia: a comparative study in an Indian population

Abstract

Original paper Background Significant cognitive impairment has been considered a core characteristic of schizophrenia. Though many studies have reviewed the phenomenon, only a few Indian studies have investigated this aspect. Aims To compare the functioning of six cognitive domains of patients with chronic schizophrenia with an age, sex and education matched control group and to assess the association of socio-demographic and clinical correlates with cognitive functioning. Methods Nine different neuropsychological tests were administered to assess the different cognitive domains. These were administered to 47 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 29 healthy controls. Results Patients with schizophrenia performed poorly in the areas of processing speed, verbal learning, verbal working memory and visual working memory. We also found that negative symptoms predict poor performance in speed of processing and verbal working memory. Increased age was a predictor of better verbal fluency. Family history of schizophrenia in first degree relatives is a predictor of poor verbal working memory. Conclusions The findings suggest that patients with chronic schizophrenia show selective cognitive impairment. The study failed to show any impairment in the area of concentration and executive function, though patients needed more time and intermittent verbal prompts to reach a level of performance equivalent to controls. Negative symptoms were found to affect cognitive performance while age was associated with better verbal fluency performance.

A Review on Cognitive Impairment and Quality of Life, Medication Adherence and the Prescription Pattern for Schizophrenia

“…Interpersonal and psychodynamic therapy assists in treating mental disease brought on by: A) Grief or loss B) Marital issues C) Changing roles, such as becoming a parent or caregiver Cognitive-behavioral therapy This kind of treatment helps people with mental illnesses identify and fix any erroneous beliefs they may have about the way the world works and about themselves. The therapist helps you create new ways of thinking by bringing to your notice both the "correct" and "wrong" beliefs you have about both yourself and other people [17,18]. People with mental illnesses that cause discomfort, impairment, or interpersonal problems, as well as those who think and behave in ways that exacerbate and prolong mental disease, should take into consideration cognitive behavioural treatment.…”

Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia: A Review

“…Numerous studies document that schizophrenia is associated with cognitive deficits [6][7][8], but the overall degree of neuropsychological (NP) impairment varies greatly across patients [9]. In fact, a few previous studies suggest that in some schizophrenia patients, NP abilities are unimpaired or normal [10,11].…”

Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: Current Perspective

“…Srinivasan et al (2005) reported that the neurocognitive profile of Indian patients with chronic schizophrenia resembles those of patients in developed countries 59 . Other Indian studies also reported patients with schizophrenia had significant deficits on multiple neuro-cognitive tests performance and negative symptoms predict poor performance in speed of processing and verbal working memory 58,60,61 . Impaired attentional task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performances were also reported in Indian schizophrenic patient population 58,62 .…”