title: Executive function in schizophrenia.
abstract: Many domains of executive function are impaired in patients with schizophrenia including forward planning, concept formation, initiation, self-monitoring, and the ability to direct attention and memory. These impairments are noticeable against a background of generalized cognitive deficits, and many affect 40% to 95% of individuals with this disorder. Specific executive deficits appear to be related to specific symptom clusters and are linked to structural and functional brain abnormalities. Executive impairment predicts multiple domains of functional outcome in schizophrenia patients. Atypical antipsychotic agents and cognitive rehabilitation may be promising new approaches for the treatment of cognitive and functional impairment in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78284-7792, USA.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Velligan
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bow-Thomas
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents