[Autobiographical memory and self-disorders in schizophrenia].

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychopathology
• Memory Research

Background:

• Disorders of self are a core feature of schizophrenia, historically understood through philosophical lenses.
• Recent research explores cognitive mechanisms underlying these self-disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how autobiographical memory deficits may explain self-disorders in schizophrenia.
• To examine the relationship between autobiographical memory and the self using the Self-Memory System model.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical literature review of autobiographical memory studies in schizophrenia.
• Application of the Self-Memory System model, distinguishing working-self and autobiographical memory knowledge base.
• Analysis of phenomenological and conceptual aspects of self and memory.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia patients show less specific autobiographical memories with fewer phenomenological details.
• Impaired mental time travel, reduced self-coherence, and unstable self-images are observed.
• Weakened connections between self-images and autobiographical memories, and disorganized reminiscence bumps are evident.

Conclusions:

• Autobiographical memory deficits are linked to altered phenomenological and conceptual dimensions of the self in schizophrenia.
• Cognitive remediation and psychotherapy targeting autobiographical memory show therapeutic potential.
• These interventions may enhance self-retrieval, coherence, and stability in patients.