Executive function in schizoaffective disorder: A comparative study with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder
Devosri Sen1, Vinod K Sinha2, Meera Jayaswal3
1Department of Clinical Psychology, CIP, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Schizoaffective disorder patients exhibit more executive function deficits than bipolar patients, particularly in tasks measuring cognitive flexibility and working memory. Both schizoaffective and schizophrenia patients show impaired risk-taking behavior compared to bipolar disorder patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Schizoaffective disorder (SAD) is often positioned between schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in clinical and prognostic literature.
- These conditions share overlapping neuropsychological deficits, necessitating detailed comparative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare executive function differences among patients with schizoaffective disorder (SAD), schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar affective disorder with psychotic symptoms (BPAD), and normal controls (NC).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a non-probability purposive sampling technique with 114 psychotic in-patients.
- Assessed executive functions using Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IEDS).
- Compared 23 clinically stable SAD patients (manic type) with matched SCZ, BPAD, and NC groups.
Main Results:
- SAD patients demonstrated significantly more executive function deficits in SCWT (low CW score, Stroop interference) and SWM (errors) compared to BPAD patients.
- Normal controls and bipolar patients adjusted betting in CGT based on probability, while SAD and SCZ patients exhibited more impulsive or risk-taking behavior.
Conclusions:
- Specific executive function measures (CW score, Stroop interference, SWM errors) can distinguish SAD from BPAD.
- Cognitive Gambling Task (CGT) performance differentiates SAD and SCZ patients from BPAD patients, highlighting distinct neuropsychological profiles.
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