Executive Function and Cognitive Subprocesses in First-Episode, Drug-Naive Schizophrenia: An Analysis of N-Back Performance.

Objective: This study investigated changes in the cognitive architecture of N-back performance in schizophrenia. Method: N-back performance of 12 patients with first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia and matched healthy comparison subjects was studied in a reaction-time decomposition paradigm. Resul...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:American Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 162; no. 6; pp. 1206 - 1209
Autores principales: Krieger, Stephan, Lis, Stefanie, Cetin, Turan
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. June 2005
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Objective: This study investigated changes in the cognitive architecture of N-back performance in schizophrenia. Method: N-back performance of 12 patients with first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia and matched healthy comparison subjects was studied in a reaction-time decomposition paradigm. Results: Imposition of a working memory load led to a significant drop in response accuracy in patients. Reaction-time decomposition suggested slowing of visuomotor and choice reaction processing as well as an inability of parallel processing directed by working memory. Discussion: Although N-back tasks validly access working memory function as a neurocognitive trait in the illness, several additional subprocesses and the ability for cognitive parallel processing are altered and require further study in schizophrenia. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.