Could the hypofrontality pattern in schizophrenia be modified through neuropsychological rehabilitation?
OBJECTIVE
The effects of neuropsychological treatment on cognitive hypofrontality were examined in schizophrenic patients through the score activation.


METHODS
Eight subjects (six men and two women) with persistent negative symptoms and cognitive impairments were evaluated with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) procedures and neuropsychological battery before and after a neuropsychological treatment group.


RESULTS
After treatment an enhancement in neuropsychological performance was found, especially in executive functions. The activation score showed an increase over baseline levels and no cognitive-dependent hypofrontality after treatment was found. Although the prefrontal blood flow changes were small and non-specific, they suggest a reduction of the cognitive hypofrontality after neuropsychological treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive improvements after neuropsychological treatment would possibly be related with the diminution of the functional hypoactivity in the prefrontal areas.
Penadés
R
R
Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
Boget
T
T
Lomeña
F
F
Mateos
J J
JJ
Catalán
R
R
Gastó
C
C
Salamero
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D016896:Treatment Outcome