Working memory assessment in schizophrenia and its correlation with executive functions ability.
OBJECTIVE
Working memory impairment is common in schizophrenia and is possibly a cause of multiple features of the disorder. However few studies have replicated such findings of impairment patterns in Brazilian samples. The main target of this study was to assess auditory and visual working memory in patients with schizophrenia, to assess if they work as separate systems, and to correlate working memory deficits with executive functions.


METHODS
Twenty subjects with schizophrenia and twenty healthy subjects matched by gender, age, and schooling have participated. The abilities assessed were auditory and visual working memory, selective attention, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and planning.


RESULTS
Patients showed declines in all measures evaluated, except for a measure reaction time of inhibitory control. Auditory working memory was correlated to selective attention, inhibition, flexibility and planning while Visual working memory to planning and flexibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that working memory and executive functions deficits are present in patients with schizophrenia in the Brazilian sample evaluated. Alterations in executive functions may lead to incapacity of operation of processes of working memory. These findings may contribute to delineate and develop new strategies of schizophrenia treatment in the Brazilian population.
Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Lab of Clinical Neurosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. a.berberian@unifesp.br
Arthur A
AA
Berberian
Bruna T
BT
Trevisan
Tais S
TS
Moriyama
José M
JM
Montiel
José Ari C
JA
Oliveira
Alessandra G
AG
Seabra
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult