Psychiatria pre prax 3/2011

Cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, that can influence patients cognitive functions, in sense of cognitive deficits. Particularly attention, memory, executive functions, intelligence and speech are negatively influenced. Most common patients in danger are they with long lasting negative effect on treatment or those who suffering chronically. We use a number of neuropsychological tests as a possibility to observe the cognitive deficits. In this article we describe basic characteristics of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and the meaning of neuropsychological methods in observing particular cognitive deficits.

Keywords: schizophrenia, cognitive functions, negative symptoms.