Executive function and cognitive subprocesses in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia: an analysis of N-back performance.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated changes in the cognitive architecture of N-back performance in schizophrenia.


METHODS
N-back performance of 12 patients with first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia and matched healthy comparison subjects was studied in a reaction-time decomposition paradigm.


RESULTS
Imposition of a working memory load led to a significant drop in response accuracy in patients. Reaction-time decomposition suggested slowing of visuomotor and choice reaction processing as well as an inability of parallel processing directed by working memory.


CONCLUSIONS
Although N-back tasks validly access working memory function as a neurocognitive trait in the illness, several additional subprocesses and the ability for cognitive parallel processing are altered and require further study in schizophrenia.
Krieger
Stephan
S
Department of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig-University Medical School, Giessen, Germany.
Lis
Stefanie
S
Janik
Honorata
H
Cetin
Turan
T
Gallhofer
Bernd
B
Meyer-Lindenberg
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents