title: Executive function and cognitive subprocesses in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia: an analysis of N-back performance.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Justus-Liebig-University Medical School, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krieger
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lis
authors.forename: Honorata
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Janik
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gallhofer
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer-Lindenberg
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents