Cognitive impairment in patients with tardive dyskinesia

Schizophrenic patients with (N = 17) and without (N = 14) tardive dyskinesia performed several neuropsychological tests. Most patients (88%) showed complete lack of concern or anosognosia with regard to their involuntary movement. A marginally significant difference was found in recall of pictures presented in the right hemispace. It is suggested that when patients with organic brain disorder and a low Mini-Mental State score are excluded, neuropsychological tests do not differentiate between tardive dyskinesia patients and nonhyperkinetic controls. The results are discussed in relation to hemispheric asymmetries in schizophrenia.