Cognitive patterns in subtypes of schizophrenia.

Full Abstract

AIM:
Because of the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, this study researched different cognitive patterns in distinct subtypes of schizophrenic patients.

METHODS:
Thirty-five Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) schizophrenic patients and 35 healthy controls were included. Patients were categorized into deficit, disorganized and positive subtypes with the schedule for the deficit syndrome (SDS) and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Executive/attentional functions were assessed with the modified card sorting test (MCST), a test of verbal fluency, the trail making test (TMT) and the Stroop color-word test (Stroop test). Episodic memory was explored through the California verbal learning test (CVLT).

RESULTS:
The positive subtype had some executive/attentional (fluency and Stroop tests) and mnesic performances in the normal range, suggesting the preservation of good cognitive skills. In contrast, the deficit and disorganized subtypes had major mnesic and executive/attentional dysfunctions compared to healthy subjects. The deficit subtype compared to the control group performed predominantly worse on the MCST and fluency, whereas the disorganized subtype had the lowest scores on the TMT and the Stroop test.

CONCLUSION:
This study showed distinct cognitive patterns in deficit, disorganized and positive patients in comparison with the controls, suggesting a heterogeneous cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

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Author information

Author/s: Brazo, P (P); Marié, R M (RM); Halbecq, I (I); Benali, K (K); Segard, L (L); Delamillieure, P (P); Langlois-Théry, S (S); Van Der Elst, A (A); Thibaut, F (F); Petit, M (M); Dollfus, S (S);

Affiliation: Centre Esquirol, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Avenue Côte de Nacre, 14033, Caen, France. dollfus-s(-atsign-)chu-caen.fr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists (Eur Psychiatry), published in France. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 17 (issue 3) : pp 155-62

Dates: Created 2002/06/07; Completed 2002/10/16; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12052576, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects
Basal Ganglia Diseases - chemically induced; diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; etiology
Female
Humans

Male
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Questionnaires
Schizophrenia - classification; complications; drug therapy
Severity of Illness Index

Associated Chemicals: Antipsychotic Agents (0)

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