Spatial working memory deficit correlates with disorganization symptoms and social functioning in schizophrenia.
Both spatial working memory deficit and disorganization symptoms have been considered significant components of schizophrenic impairment involved with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships among spatial working memory, psychiatric symptoms including disorganization symptoms, and social functioning in schizophrenia. Fifty clinically stable patients with schizophrenia and 34 healthy controls participated in the study. Patients were rated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Rehabilitation Evaluation Hall and Baker. The Advanced Trail Making Test was used to evaluate spatial working memory. Patients demonstrated significantly reduced spatial working memory compared to that of healthy controls. Spatial working memory in patients correlated significantly with social functioning such as self-care skills, community skills and speech disturbance, and with disorganization symptoms. Disorganization symptoms also correlated with these aspects of social functioning. In conclusion it is suggested that both spatial working memory deficit and disorganization symptoms, which are impairments involved with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex dysfunction, can serve as effective predictors of social functioning.
Takahashi
Hidetoshi
H
Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Course of Advanced Medicine, Department of Post-Genomics and Diseases, Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Proteomics, Suita, Japan. hidetaka@psy.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Iwase
Masao
M
Nakahachi
Takayuki
T
Sekiyama
Ryuji
R
Tabushi
Kaoru
K
Kajimoto
Osami
O
Shimizu
Akira
A
Takeda
Masatoshi
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014888:Wechsler Scales