Explicit memory in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective

Study of explicit memory of schizophrenic patients. Compared with control subjects.

Methods

n = 21:

1. - Schizophrenia Group (GE): 14 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria)

2. - Control Group (CG): 7 subjects with no psychiatric diagnosis.

Data analysis:

1. - Analysis of variance for comparison between groups

2. - Contrast-Test Means for intragroup analysis performance

Results

Variables: gender, age, duration, and medication, as well as attitude, mood, attention, comprehension, difficulty and interest shown in the tests.

Significant differences were observed between schizophrenic and control in cued recall (proportion of hits: GE = 33% +41% Chronic severe, GC = 60%: p = 0.009) and recognition (hit rate: GE = 32% +32% Acute Chronic, GC = 41.11%, p = 0.009) that could be explained by a deficit in encoding and retrieval presemantic. Free Recall No significant (P = 0.0113) There were no significant differences between acute and chronic in Free Recall (P = 0.0864), cued recall (P = 0.255) and recognition (p = 0.998).

Conclusion

In the sample studied was observed:

Explicit Memory Impairement from early stages of schizophrenia.

1. - Impairment of memory processes that require conscious control

2. - Difficulty in voluntary recall, conscious and strategic characteristic of explicit memory, although providing it with keys.