title: Persistent cognitive dysfunction despite clinical improvement in schizophrenia: a 10-year follow-up study.
abstract: One negative outcome associated with schizophrenia is a deterioration of cognitive functioning. Little is known about what happens to cognitive abilities in the years following a diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia. This study assessed the cognitive functioning of 61 individuals with first-episode schizophrenia who showed significant clinical improvement (Clinical Global Improvement rating of much or very much improved) after 10 years of treatment, comparing their cognitive functioning at the time of the initial diagnosis and at 10-year follow-up. Our results indicated deterioration in some cognitive abilities at baseline with further decline in this area found after 10 years. Visuomotor integration, working memory, and executive functioning deteriorated in the 10 years of treatment following diagnosis, and many individuals who were classified as much or very much improved still demonstrated abnormal cognitive functioning. These findings suggest the need for greater focus on cognitive functioning in treatment for schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Foundation of India (PRERANA Charitable trust) and Silver Mind Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Amresh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrivastava
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Nilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Meghana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thakar
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stitt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition; D018450:Disease Progression; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents