title: Neural correlates of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive impairment is an established feature of schizophrenia. However, little is known about its relationship to the structural and functional brain abnormalities that characterise the disorder. Aims To identify structural and/or functional brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenic cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry in 26 participants who were cognitively impaired and 23 who were cognitively preserved, all with schizophrenia, plus 39 matched controls. Nineteen of those who were cognitively impaired and 18 of those who were cognitively preserved plus 34 controls also underwent functional MRI during performance of a working memory task.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found between the participants who were cognitively intact and those who were cognitively impaired in lateral ventricular volume or whole brain volume. Voxel-based morphometry also failed to reveal clusters of significant difference in grey and white matter volume between these two groups. However, during performance of the n-back task, the participants who were cognitively impaired showed hypoactivation compared with those who were cognitively intact in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex among other brain regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is not a function of the structural brain abnormality that accompanies the disorder but has correlates in altered brain function.
authors: Benito Menni Complex Assistencial en Salut Mental. Germanes Hospitalàries del Sagrat Cor de Jesús, C/Doctor Antoni Pujades 38-C, 08830 - Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Ortiz-Gil
authors: Edith
authors: E
authors: Pomarol-Clotet
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Salvador
authors: Erick J
authors: EJ
authors: Canales-Rodríguez
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: Sarró
authors: Jesús J
authors: JJ
authors: Gomar
authors: Amalia
authors: A
authors: Guerrero
authors: Bibiana
authors: B
authors: Sans-Sansa
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Capdevila
authors: Carme
authors: C
authors: Junqué
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: McKenna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology