Cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia: effects and treatment.

The average patient with schizophrenia performs on cognitive tests at the lowest 5% to 10% of the general population. Cognitive impairments impact patients on virtually every aspect of functioning, interfere with patients' ability to engage in real-world tasks, and affect long-term outcome. Therefore, cognitive deficits should be included in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Clinicians need to focus treatment options on helping patients to regain premorbid levels of cognitive functioning.

Duke Scholars

Author Richard S.E. Keefe Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...