Neuropsychological dysfunction in schizophrenia: a study of executive functioning, vigilance and abstraction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20253588Keywords:
Vigilance, Schizophrenia, Neuropsychological dysfunction, Matched control study, Abstraction, Cognitive deficits, Executive functioning, Frontal lobeAbstract
Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by profound disturbances in cognition, perception and behaviour. This study examines neuropsychological dysfunctions in adult schizophrenic patients, specifically focusing on executive functioning, vigilance and abstraction. To assess deficits in neuropsychological domains among adult schizophrenic patients and compare them with healthy controls.
Methods: A prospective, matched control group design was used, comprising 30 adult schizophrenic patients and 30 healthy controls matched for socio-demographic variables. neuropsychological assessments included Bhatia’s short battery of performance test for intelligence, symbol cancellation test and the similarity Test. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and correlation analyses were used for data interpretation.
Results: Schizophrenic patients demonstrated significant impairments in executive functioning, vigilance and abstraction compared to healthy controls. Deficits were evident in working memory, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, sustained attention and abstract reasoning, reinforcing the role of frontal lobe dysfunction in schizophrenia. Conclusions: The study highlights marked neuropsychological deficits in schizophrenia, emphasizing the need for targeted cognitive rehabilitation strategies. Addressing these impairments through structured interventions may improve functional outcomes and overall quality of life in patients.
Metrics
References
World Health Organization. The ICD-10 Classification of mental and behavioural disorders: clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Geneva: WHO. 1992.
McCutcheon RA, Keefe RSE, McGuire PK. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: etiology, pathophysiology and treatment. Mol Psychiatry. 2023;28(5):1902–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-01949-9
Watson AJ, Harrison L, Preti A, Wykes T, Cella M. Cognitive trajectories following onset of psychosis: a meta‐analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2022;221(6):714–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2022.131
Liu Y, Wang G, Jin H, Lyu H, Liu Y, Guo W, et al. Cognitive deficits in subjects at risk for psychosis, first‐episode and chronic schizophrenia patients. Psychiatry Res. 2019;274:235–42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.089
Christopher R Bowie, Philip D Harvey. Cognition in schizophrenia: impairments, determinants and functional importance. J Consult Psychol. 2012;4:64.
Uppinkudru C, Gopalakrishnan R, Noel J, Kuruvilla A. Prevalence, correlates and explanatory models of cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2023;65(10):1025–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_102_23
Bhat PS, Raj J, Chatterjee K, Srivastava K. Cognitive dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia and its correlation with negative symptoms and insight. Ind Psychiatry J. 2021;30(3):310–5.
Mario Fioravanti, Valentina Bianchi, Maria Elena Cinti Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: an updated metanalysis of the scientific evidence. Schizophr Bull. 2010;36(1):112–5.
Andrew J Watson, Lauren Harrison, Antonio Preti, Til Wykes, Matteo Cella. Cognitive trajectories following onset of psychosis: a meta-analysis. East Asian Arch Psych. 2021;2:857-9.
Michael GA, Dorey JM, Rey R, D’Amato T, Fabre D, Brunet S, et al. Attention in schizophrenia: impaired inhibitory control, faulty attentional resources or both. Psychiatry Res. 2020;290:113164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113164
Santosh S, Dutta Roy D, Kundu PS. Psychopathology, cognitive function and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. East Asian Arch Psych. 2013;23(2):65–70.
Bhat PS, Raj J, Chatterjee K, Srivastava K. Cognitive dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia and its correlation with negative symptoms and insight. Ind Psychiatry J. 2021;30(3):310–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_107_20
Deshpande SN, Bhatia T, Mohandas E, Nimgaonkar VL. Cognitive remediation in schizophrenia: the view from India. Asian J Psych. 2016;22:124–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2016.06.011
World Health Organization. The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. WHO. 1992.
Netsereab TB, Kifle MM, Tesfagiorgis RB, Habteab SG, Weldeabzgi YK, Tesfamariam OZ, et al. Validation of the WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) item in primary health care settings in Eritrea. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2018;12:61.
Baumbusch J. Semi-structured interviewing in practice-close research. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2010;15(3):255–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00243.x
Verma SK, Pershad D, Malhotra A, Arunima M. The revised Bhatia’s Short Battery of Performance Tests of Intelligence for Adults: a handbook. Agra: National Psychological Corporation. 1988.
Beck LH, Bransome ED Jr, Mirsky AF, Rosvold HE, Sarason I. A continuous performance test of brain damage. J Consult Psychol. 1956;20(5):343–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0043220
Pershad D, Verma SK. Education and psychological test scores. Indian J Psychiatry. 1980;22(2):179–81.
Netsereab TB, Kifle MM, Tesfagiorgis RB. Validation of the WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) item in primary health care settings in Eritrea. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2018;12:61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0242-y
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
