정신분열증 환자의 인지 기능과 삶의 질

Abstract

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.