Cognitive effects of conventional and atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenia

Abstract

“Mental efficiency is always diminished to a considerable extent. The patients are distracted, inattentive, tired, dull, do not take pleasure in work, their mind wanders, they lose the connection, they ‘cannot keep the thought in mind‘…” (Kraepelin, 1898)Cognitive dysfunction has long been recognised as a cardinal feature of schizophrenia, dating back to Kraepelin's description of dementia praecox (1919). Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is seen early in the illness and is initially mild, increasing in severity in some chronic patients. It is recognised as a primary and pervasive deficit that is independent of positive symptoms in that it persists after resolution of acute symptoms. It is not restricted to a subgroup and is seen to a greater or lesser extent in almost all patients suffering from schizophrenia (Goldberg et al, 1990).