Working Memory in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction

Working memory refers to a restrictedsystem for the temporary maintenanceand information processing capacity. His exploration inpatients with schizophrenia hasbeen the subject of numerousstudies on different types ofpeople and using a wide range of cognitive tests

Objectives

Explore workingmemory in patients during thedifferent phases of schizophrenia

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 15 patients hospitalized for a firstepisode of schizophrenia and 15 hospitalized for schizophrenia according toDSM-IV. The control group consisted of 15 healthy participants matched group ofpatients by sex, age and educational level. Clinical evaluation was performedby the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Working memory was assessed by theboard Corsi for visuo-spatial span.

Results

For first episode patients: The average age was 26.8years. The average number of years of education is 10.13 years. The score on thegeneral psychopathology scale of the PANSSwas 38.5. The score at the Direct Spanis 4.13. The scoreSpan Indirect is3.2.

For multi-episodes patients: The average age was 38.1years. The average years ofeducation is 8.53 years. The score on the overallscale of the PANSS psychopathology is 43.13. The score at the DirectSpan is 3.2. The scorein Indirect Spanis 2.06.

Conclusion

In recent years, thecognitive dimension in schizophrenia has been increasing interest. Cognitive deficits observed in patientswith schizophrenia are better recognized, tracked and taken into account in the pharmacologicaland psychosocial treatment of the disease