Cognitive control and semantics in schizophrenia: an integrated approach.
OBJECTIVE
The authors tested whether decisions about incongruencies in the representation and processing of semantic knowledge, thought to be related to cognitive control, are selectively impaired in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy comparison subjects determined the relative size of paired stimuli as they are in the real world. Stimuli were words or images. Real-world "distance" (size difference between stimuli) was manipulated within pairs, as was "congruency" between real-world and presentation size.


RESULTS
Although patients were slower overall, both groups exhibited similar effects of "distance" and "congruency"; the task was easier when the real-world size difference between stimuli was greater and when stimuli were congruent in presentation and real-world size.


CONCLUSIONS
Some aspects of the representation of semantic knowledge are preserved in schizophrenia, and patients use this information to control cognition in the same manner as healthy individuals.
Cohen
Jessica R
JR
Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institutes of Mental Health/NIH, Bldg. 10 Rm. 4S235, MSC 1379, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Elvevåg
Brita
B
Goldberg
Terry E
TE
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004215:Distance Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012660:Semantics; D012858:Size Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology