[Cognitive performance in schizophrenia (paranoid vs residual subtype)].
BACKGROUND
Several studies refer to the relationship between schizophrenia and cognitive dysfunctions. The most frequent disturbances accepted are the deficits in the executive, memory and verbal tests. However, there are few comparative data about the cognitive functioning of the different subtypes of schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
Analyze and compare the neuropsychological disturbances present in patients with paranoid and residual schizophrenia.


METHODS
Eleven patients with paranoid schizophrenia, eleven patients with residual schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria), and thirty one normal subjects matched by age, educational level, and general cognitive level (Mini Mental State Examination (Folstein, 1975), were assessed with a semistructured psychiatric examination and an extensive neuropsychological battery.


RESULTS
Significant differences were found in memory, language, and executive functions when schizophrenics were compared with normal subjects. Differences in similarities were found between paranoid and residual schizophrenics. Residual schizophrenics had more disturbances in neuropsychological tests in comparison with paranoid schizophrenics.


CONCLUSIONS
Schizophrenics demonstrated disturbances in memory, language, executive functions and attention. Residual schizophrenics had more impairment in neuropsychological tests than paranoid schizophrenics.
Dillon
Carol
C
Centro de Investigación de la Memoria, Hospital Zubizarreta, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. drcaroldillon@yahoo.com.ar
Taragano
Fernando
F
Sarasola
Diego
D
Iturry
Mónica
M
Serrano
Cecilia
C
Raczkowski
Amalia
A
Allegri
Ricardo
R
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000150:complications