Suboptimal processing strategy and working-memory impairments predict abstraction deficit in schizophrenia.
We studied the relationship between abstraction and other, more basic, cognitive functions in 78 schizophrenia patients and 57 healthy controls. Patients' performance was impaired compared to that of healthy individuals. Regression analysis showed significant contributions of task latency, spatial working memory, and verbal working memory to abstraction performance. The model explained 56.9% of the variance. The latency contribution included linear and quadratic components indicating optimal strategies for normal abstraction performance. Abnormal (suboptimal) processing strategies and working-memory dysfunctions predict impaired abstraction in schizophrenia. The model presented may enable differentiation between impaired and compensating components in schizophrenia patients with an abstraction deficit.
Silver
Henry
H
Brain Behavior Laboratory, Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Hadera, Israel. mdsilver@tx.technion.ac.il
Goodman
Craig
C
Bilker
Warren B
WB
Knoll
Gabriela
G
Gur
Ruben
R
Povar
Galina
G
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology