Cognitive patterns in subtypes of schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, this study researched different cognitive patterns in distinct subtypes of schizophrenic patients.


METHODS
Thirty-five Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) schizophrenic patients and 35 healthy controls were included. Patients were categorized into deficit, disorganized and positive subtypes with the schedule for the deficit syndrome (SDS) and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Executive/attentional functions were assessed with the modified card sorting test (MCST), a test of verbal fluency, the trail making test (TMT) and the Stroop color-word test (Stroop test). Episodic memory was explored through the California verbal learning test (CVLT).


RESULTS
The positive subtype had some executive/attentional (fluency and Stroop tests) and mnesic performances in the normal range, suggesting the preservation of good cognitive skills. In contrast, the deficit and disorganized subtypes had major mnesic and executive/attentional dysfunctions compared to healthy subjects. The deficit subtype compared to the control group performed predominantly worse on the MCST and fluency, whereas the disorganized subtype had the lowest scores on the TMT and the Stroop test.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed distinct cognitive patterns in deficit, disorganized and positive patients in comparison with the controls, suggesting a heterogeneous cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Brazo
P
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Centre Esquirol, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Avenue Côte de Nacre, 14033, Caen, France. dollfus-s@chu-caen.fr
Marié
R M
RM
Halbecq
I
I
Benali
K
K
Segard
L
L
Delamillieure
P
P
Langlois-Théry
S
S
Van Der Elst
A
A
Thibaut
F
F
Petit
M
M
Dollfus
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents