Abstract
The psychopathological profile and its relationship to cognitive functioning in elderly schizophrenics is not well understood. Aims of our study were to examine (1) psychopathological and cognitive profiles of elderly institutionalized schizophrenics compared to a sample of younger schizophrenics, (2) the correlation of psychopathology with cognitive deficits. 25 DSM-III-R schizophrenic inpatients (mean age 67), on stable medication, were assessed on a multidimensional rating battery (PANSS, HAM-D, EPS Scales, Dementia Scales and Neuropsychological tests). They were compared to 20 younger inpatients (mean age 35), matched on gender and medication status. There was no difference in PANSS total/subscales, depression and cognitive symptoms including IQ between the two groups. Clinical Dementia Rating of the older group indicated questionable dementia (range 0.25–0.27). The older group scored better in California Verbal Learning Test's total recall (t = −2.30, p < 0.03), short cued recall (t = 3.05, p < 0.005), long cued recall (t = 2.70, p < 0.011) and long delay recognition measure (t = 3.7, p < 0.0007) than the younger group. We concluded that older age did not affect the symptom profile of this sample. Patients showed overall low dementia measures. This sample did not show a significant dementing process.
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