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Psychiatria Danubina, Vol. 31 No. suppl 2, 2019.

Conference paper

COGNITIVE DEFICIT IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: AN OVERVIEW

Alma Mihaljević-Peleš orcid id orcid.org/0000-0003-3742-0757 ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ;Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Bajs Janović ; Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marina Šagud ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ;Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Živković orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-1188-0723 ; Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Špiro Janović ; Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Saša Jevtović ; Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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Abstract

Depressive mood, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations and behavioral disturbances have been traditionally recognized as leading
symptoms of mental disorders. However, cognitive symptoms went under-recognized or declined. Today there is robust evidence that
cognitive dysfunction is present in the majority of mental disorders and is also related to impairments in the functioning of the
persons with mental illness. It is proposed that aberrant brain neuronal network connectivity, arising from interplay of genetic,
epigenetic, developmental and environmental factors, is responsible for cognitive decline.
In schizophrenia, dysfunctions in working memory, attention, processing speed, visual and verbal learning with substantial
deficit in reasoning, planning, abstract thinking and problem solving have been extensively documented. Social cognition – the
ability to correctly process information and use it to generate appropriate response in situations, is also impaired. The correlation of
cognitive impairment with functional outcome and employment, independent living and social functioning has emphasized the need
for development of the treatments specific to cognition. It is considered that brain neuroplasticity allows for re-modulating and
compensating the impairment process which could give opportunity to improve cognitive functions. Therefore, there is a need for
comprehensive clinical assessment and follow-up of cognitive decline in mental illness. Implementation of specific treatment
strategies addressing cognitive decline in mental illness, like new drugs, distinct cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychoeducation,
social skills training and remediation strategies should be strongly indorsed targeting recovery and reduction of disability due to
mental illness.

Keywords

cognition; cognitive deficits; schizophrenia

Hrčak ID:

262774

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/262774

Publication date:

29.5.2019.

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