Context-processing deficits in schizophrenia: diagnostic specificity, 4-week course, and relationships to clinical symptoms

J Abnorm Psychol. 2003 Feb;112(1):132-43.

Abstract

Previous research on schizophrenia suggests that context-processing disturbances are one of the core cognitive deficits present in schizophia. However, it is not clear whether such deficits are specific to schizophrenia as compared with other psychotic disorders. To address this question, the authors administered a version of the AX Continuous Performance Test designed to assess context processing in a sample of healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia, and patients with other psychotic disorders. Participants were tested at index (when medication naive and experiencing their first contact with psychiatric services) and 4 weeks later, following medication treatment. At index, patients with schizophrenia and the psychotic comparison group demonstrated similar impairments in context processing. However, context-processing deficits improved in the psychotic comparison group at 4 weeks but did not improve in patients with schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychotic Disorders / complications
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Random Allocation
  • Reaction Time
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Semantics*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents