Differences seen in patterns, timing of decline in cognitive function according to psychotic disorder<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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FRIDAY, Jan. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Schizophrenia and bipolar I patients experience cognitive decline through adulthood, although the nature of this decline varies across disorders and cognitive functions, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in the Schizophrenia Bulletin<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jolanta Zanelli, Ph.D., from King’s College London, and colleagues examined functioning in general and specific cognitive functions comparing 64 schizophrenia and 19 bipolar I patients to 103 controls. Participants were followed prospectively for up to 10 years after the first admission. At baseline and follow-up, a cognitive battery was administered.<\/p>\n The researchers found that widespread decreases in IQ, executive function, visual memory, language ability, and verbal knowledge were exhibited by schizophrenia patients; the declines in these functions occurred at different ages. At the first episode, deficits were present in verbal memory, working memory, processing speed, and visuospatial ability; these remained static thereafter. Declines in IQ, verbal knowledge, and language ability were also seen in bipolar I patients, although at different ages to schizophrenia patients and in verbal functions only. The declines on measures of verbal memory, processing speed, and executive function remained stable.<\/p>\n “Both common and unique pathophysiological mechanisms may underlie cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and bipolar I across the adult lifespan,” the authors write. “Pharmacological and psychological remediation efforts that target individual cognitive functions during specific periods may therefore be most effective.”<\/p>\n Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n