Cognition in schizophrenia : impairments, importance, and treatment strategies

Although it has been known for 100 years that cognitive functioning is impaired in schizophrenia, the implications of this impairment have only recently been clearly understood. While in the past, cognitive deficits were thought to be the result of other aspects of the illness, such as poor co- operation, or as a result of the treatment of the illness, it is now known that these factors exert only a very minor influence on cognitive deficit. This book, with contributions from the major international names in the field, reviews the most recent research on the impairment of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, covering: what it is, how wide-ranging it can be, what the clinical implications are, and how it can be treated? The book is divided into three sections. The first section provides background information on the important aspects of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia. The second section provides information on the correlates of cognitive functioning, examining classical symptoms of the illness, as well as social and adaptive functional deficits. The final section provides information on the treatment of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, from the older less effective treatments with conventional antipsychotics, to the developing treatment strategies using experimental compounds. A clear insight into cognitive deficit is the key to understanding why previous treatments have failed, and the key by which new treatments may change this terrible illness, treatments significantly more effective than earlier interventions. With Contributions From The Major International Names In The Field, This Book Reviews Research On The Impairment Of Cognitive Functioning In Schizophrenia, Covering: What It Is, What The Clinical Implications Are, And How It Can Be Treated. 1. The Course Of Cognitive Impairment In Patients With Schizophrenia / T.w. Weickert And T.e. Goldberg -- 2. Working Memory Dysfunction And Its Relevance To Schizophrenia / R.s.e. Keefe -- 3. Executive Dysfunction In Schizophrenia / B.w. Palmer And R.k. Heaton -- 4. Learning And Memory In Schizophrenia / R.c. Gur, S.t. Moelter And J.d. Ragland -- 5. Information Processing And Attention In Schizophrenia: Clinical And Functional Correlates And Treatment Of Cognitive Impairment / K.s. Cadenhead And D.l. Braff -- 6. Formal Thought Disorder In Schizophrenia: Characteristics And Cognitive Underpinnings / P.d. Harvey -- 7. Glutamatergic Contributions To Cognitive Dysfunction In Schizophrenia / J.h. Krystal, A. Belger And W. Abi-saab / [and Others] -- 8. Cognitive Functioning, Social Adjustment And Long-term Outcome In Schizophrenia / K.t. Mueser -- 9. Relevance Of Neurocognitive Deficits For Functional Outcome In Schizophrenia / M.f. Green, R.s. Kem And M.j. Robertson / [et Al.] -- 10. Cognitive Functioning And Negative Symptoms In Schizophrenia / J. Addington -- 11. Cognitive Impairments As Causes Of Positive Symptoms In Schizophrenia / M.l. Phillips And A.s. David -- 12. Cognitive Functioning In Schizophrenic Patients With Comorbid Substance Use Disorders / M.r. Serper And J.c.-y. Chou -- 13. Cognitive Effects Of Typical Antipsychotic Treatment: Another Look / C.r. Blyler And J.m. Gold -- 14. The Central Cholinergic System And Cognitive Dysfunction In Schizophrenia / S.r. Mcgurk And P. Powchik -- 15. Cognitive Enhancement As A Treatment Strategy In Schizophrenia / T. Sharma And P.d. Harvey -- 16. Specific Cognitive Enhancers / J.i. Friedman -- 17. Cognitive Rehabilitation And Remediation In Schizophrenia / T. Wykes -- Conclusions / T. Sharma And P.d. Harvey. Edited By Tonmoy Sharma And Philip Harvey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Although a vast literature pertaining to neuropsychological deficits in schizophrenia has amassed over the past 45 years, the exact timing and course of the neuropsychological deficits remains obscure.