[Attention models in evaluating schizophrenia]

Models of information processing, a part of cognitive psychology, have influenced theories of schizophrenia in the past few years. Study of attention disorders is an original approach of schizophrenics' cognitive disturbances. The authors have reviewed the literature of attention disorders in schizophrenia. Disorders of attention are analysed in different points of view. 'Subtype, syndromic (positive and negative forms) and symptomatic levels of analysis are documented. Subtype approach of attention disorders is not confirmed in the literature. Symptomatic approach of attention disorders in schizophrenia is actually well documented (especially for hallucination and delusion), but very heterogenous. Attention disorders are different in positive and negative syndromes of schizophrenia. Positive patients are more distractible and an early disorder of information processing is a part of cognitive disturbances of negative patients. Some neurobiological and information processing disturbances are discussed in reference of this syndromic approach.