Neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia

Abstract

Cognitive deficit is recognized as the core symptom of schizophrenia. In the last two decades, there has been a considerable number of literature published on the topic.However, no mutual consent has been reached as to the profile, dynamics, the cause nor the onset of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia patients. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is rather often associated with the presence of psychopathology, quality of life, and how cognitive impairment accounts for psychosocial functioning. Some of the previous studies endeavour to establish the connection between the premorbid level of cognitive functioning and the quality of cognition after the first acute exacerbation of the illness. Other studies then pursue to survey the issue in subjects with high probability of the onset of schizophrenia. A fair number of studies deal with the longitudinal research of cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia or compare cognitive performance in several psychiatric diagnoses. The paper aims to summarize the topic of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and to present a comprehensive review of neuropsychological research in the field and its existing findings.