Attention and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia.
Attentional deficits, long established to characterize patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, have traditionally been regarded as part of the disorder's clinical syndrome. In this paper we provide evidence to indicate that: a) impaired attention is a dimension of schizophrenia that is independent of clinical state, and b) that attention does not appear to respond to the medication (i.e. standard neuroleptics) most typically used to treat clinical symptoms. Since intact attention and other cognitive processes appear critical to successful functioning in the community after hospital discharge, these findings have major implications for treatment.
Cornblatt
B
B
Department of Psychiatry Research, Hillside Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA.
Obuchowski
M
M
Schnur
D B
DB
O'Brien
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents