Abstract
This study compares the cognitive performances of 18 drug naive schizophrenics patients at the beginning of their illness and after an average period of 3 years of evolution (less than 8 drop out patients). The neuropsychological assessment includes the following tests: alertness, sustained attention, selective attention, working memory and long-term memory (explicit and implicit). The results suggest stability of attention and memory impairments, with significant improvement at attention sub-tests. No significant deterioration is observed. The results also suggest a correlation between the cognitive impairment and the intensity of negative symptoms as rated on the PANSS As discussed in this article, these results are in accordance with recent reviews of the literature supporting the long term stability of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
| Translated title of the contribution | Attention and memory impairment in schizophrenia: A longitudinal study of drug naive patients |
|---|---|
| Original language | French |
| Pages (from-to) | 750-767 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Annales Medico-Psychologiques |
| Volume | 158 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Attention
- Cognition
- Longitudinal
- Memory
- Neuropsychology
- Schizophrenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Applied Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
