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Assessing cognitive function in clinical trials of schizophrenia
Jennifer H Barnett1, Trevor W Robbins, Verity C Leeson
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. jhb32@cam.ac.uk
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|January 29, 2010
Summary
The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) shows promise for schizophrenia research. This computerised assessment is well-understood and sensitive to drug effects, potentially improving clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a key feature of schizophrenia, impacting treatment development.
- Accurate cognitive measurement is crucial for evaluating novel therapies in schizophrenia clinical trials.
- Existing cognitive batteries, like the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) battery, have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) for assessing cognitive function in schizophrenia.
- To evaluate CANTAB against the recommendations of MATRICS and the Cognitive Neuroscience Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (CNTRICS).
Main Methods:
- Review of over 60 studies utilizing CANTAB in psychotic disorders.
- Assessment of CANTAB's neural basis through patient and neuroimaging studies.
- Evaluation of CANTAB's translational validity via equivalent tests in animal models.
Main Results:
- CANTAB has a well-understood neural basis and established sensitivity to pharmacological manipulation.
- CANTAB has been used extensively in over 60 studies of psychotic disorders.
- CANTAB offers potential advantages in reducing measurement error and patient attrition in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- CANTAB is a valuable tool for cognitive assessment in schizophrenia research.
- Further research should focus on psychometric properties in short-term patient studies and functional outcome relationships.
- Computerised assessments like CANTAB can enhance the statistical power and efficiency of cognitive trials.
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