title: Suboptimal processing strategy and working-memory impairments predict abstraction deficit in schizophrenia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Brain Behavior Laboratory, Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Hadera, Israel. mdsilver@tx.technion.ac.il
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Warren B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Bilker
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gur
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Povar
mesh_terms: 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