Schizophrenic patients frequently exhibit specific cognitive deficits, particulary in the
areas of attention, executive function, and memory. These impairment may represent a
central feature of the disease process and not simply a consequence of non-specific
deficits in motivation or psychotic symptomatology. Neuropathological and neuroimaging
studies in schizophrenic patients provide evidence for abnormalities in the prefrontal and
temporal cortical system. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia may greatly impede
social and occupational functioning. Furthermore, conventional neuroleptics cause
additional loss of cognitive function. Cognitive function may be subtly impaired at early
phase of the disease and may be abruptly declined after the onset of psychotic
symptoms. Thereafter, the cognitive impairment tends to remain fairly stable. It is thus
important to minimize cognitive decline in first episode patients. Good cognitive function
is important for enabling social rehabilitation and maximizing quality of life. The
primary target for treatment of schizophrenia in future should be to ameliorate cognitive
deficits as well as psychotic symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics, such as clozapine or
risperidone, is promising agent concurring with this object.
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