Very short-term memory dysfunction in schizophrenia. Defective short time constant information processing in schizophrenia.
Disordered, very short-term memory (VSTM) has been hypothesized as the fundamental cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. We describe a method that measures VSTM using self-stimulated auditory average evoked potentials. This paradigm allows the VSTM hyothesis to be tested relatively free of superficial attentional and motivational artifacts. The experimental results are consistent with a VSTM dysfunction in schizophrenia. Very short-term memory dysfunction is discussed in light of recent blink reflex evidence that there is a short time constant information processing system with a time base similar to VSTM (ie, 1 to 1,000 msec). This leads to new testable hypotheses about information processing and VSTM in schizophrenia. It also lays the basis for interpreting this phenomenon as a pathologic exaggeration of an adaptive neurophysiologic mechanism.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006801:Humans; D007257:Information Theory; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs