Word production deficits in schizophrenia.
Fronto-cerebellar circuitry is implicated in word production. Data suggest that the cerebellum is involved in word search, whereas the prefrontal cortex underlies the selection of words from among competing alternatives. We explored the role of search and selection processes in word production deficits in schizophrenia patients. In Experiment 1, patients were impaired in a verb generation task under both high and low selection conditions but were more impaired in the high selection condition. In Experiment 2, when the difficulty level of search and selection conditions was equated in a word stem completion task, patients were only impaired in the search condition. Word search deficits underlie word production problems in schizophrenia, and may involve fronto-cerebellar dysfunction.
Marvel
Cherie L
CL
Mental Health Service Line, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA. cherie-marvel@uiowa.edu
Schwartz
Barbara L
BL
Isaacs
Keren L
KL
D000328:Adult; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012564:Schizophrenic Language; D012660:Semantics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology