Intellectual capacity measurement in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
The measurement of the intellectual capacity (IC) in schizophrenic patients has been found to be of clinical relevance. A user-friendly tool such as the Cattell's intelligence test might facilitate this measurement in daily clinical practice.


METHODS
In this study, we measured the intelligence quotient (IQ) using Cattell's test in 35 schizophrenic patients before and after treatment with risperidone.


RESULTS
At baseline, the sample showed an average intelligence of 78.3 points (standard deviation [SD]: 14.3), in the low-medium range. After 1 year on risperidone, the IQ significantly improved (mean: 84.8; SD: 17.0; p = 0.028). This IQ elevation was positively correlated with the improvement in the psychotic symptoms rated with the PANSS.


CONCLUSIONS
Cattell's intelligence test could be a valid instrument to measure cognitive performance in schizophrenic patients. Antipsychotic therapy with risperidone could be effective to improve cognitive functioning in these subjects.
Chamorro
L
L
Psychiatry Department, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. lchamorro@sescam.org
de Felipe
M V
MV
Soler
M M
MM
Olivares
D
D
Huertas
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index