Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Clinical correlates associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with schizophrenia
Tsunehiko Tanaka1, Masahito Tomotake, Yoshinori Ueoka
1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|October 17, 2012
Summary
Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is linked to negative symptoms and drug side effects. Minimizing these may improve cognitive function in patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder characterized by significant cognitive impairments.
- Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia impact daily functioning and treatment outcomes.
- Understanding the relationship between clinical variables and cognitive function is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cognitive function and clinical variables in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- To identify specific clinical factors associated with cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 61 stabilized outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV) participated.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS).
- Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS).
Main Results:
- The PANSS Negative syndrome score showed significant correlations with multiple cognitive domains, including verbal memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed.
- The DIEPSS score was significantly correlated with attention/processing speed and overall cognitive composite scores.
- Antipsychotic and anti-Parkinson drug dosages did not show significant correlations with cognitive function scores.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is associated with negative symptoms and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms.
- Reducing negative symptoms and extrapyramidal side effects may be important therapeutic targets for improving cognitive function in schizophrenia.
- Further research is warranted to explore the causal relationships and develop effective interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
01:17Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...