Remitted schizophrenia-spectrum patients with spared working memory show information processing abnormalities

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;251(2):60-5. doi: 10.1007/s004060170054.

Abstract

Working memory and information processing abnormalities are often reported in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine visual backward masking (BM) functions in remitted schizophrenia-spectrum patients with spared working memory functions. Seventy-two patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia-spectrum disorders were screened using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the digit span forward/backward tasks. Patients with spared WCST and digit span performances were selected and administered a spatial working memory test and two BM procedures (target identification and location). The schizophrenia-spectrum group with spared WCST and digit span performances included individuals with schizophreniform disorder (N=11), schizophrenia (N=2), and schizoaffective disorder (N=2). These patients were clinically remitted and demonstrated spared IQ, normal spatial working memory, and relatively high psychosocial functioning. However, there was a significant impairment in the BM procedure, most prominently in the target location task and at short interstimulus intervals. These results suggest that the BM dysfunction is a trait marker of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and may be present in the absence of working memory abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Mental Recall
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Perceptual Masking
  • Retention, Psychology
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenia / therapy
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*