Abstract
This study aimed to test how an 8-week training using computerized cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) would modify resting brain functional activity and improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia were recruited and randomized into two groups: CCRT or treatment-as-usual (TAU). The CCRT group received 40 sessions of computerized cognitive training over an eight-week period. There was a significant treatment group × time interaction on the processing speed (trail making test: F = 8.14, P = 0.01) and a trend in problem solving (mazes test: P = 0.06). Post-hoc tests showed that CCRT but not TAU significantly improved scores from baseline to end-of-treatment on these two cognitive assessments. For the resting brain functional activity, significant group × time interaction effect was found in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)/anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and brainstem pons region. Post-hoc tests showed that there was significant increased activity in the mPFC/ACC in CCRT but not TAU group. In this small sample study, computerized cognitive remediation therapy is shown to enhance mPFC/ACC activity even at resting state and improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. If replicated, this community and clinic accessible therapy may assist cognitive remediation effort for people with schizophrenia.
Highlights
Cognitive deficits are core features of schizophrenia, contribute substantially to poor functional outcome of the patients[1, 2], and are likely as important as positive and negative symptoms for clinical treatment of the illness[3]
One functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study found that patients with schizophrenia who received successful cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) had significantly improved brain activation in regions associated with working memory, the frontal cortical areas, where improvement was defined as the differences by a fMRI memory task compared with baseline resting conditions[25]
There were no significant difference between computerized cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) group and TAU group on age, gender, education and onset age
Summary
Cognitive deficits are core features of schizophrenia, contribute substantially to poor functional outcome of the patients[1, 2], and are likely as important as positive and negative symptoms for clinical treatment of the illness[3]. One fMRI study found that patients with schizophrenia who received successful CRT had significantly improved brain activation in regions associated with working memory, the frontal cortical areas, where improvement was defined as the differences by a fMRI memory task compared with baseline resting conditions[25]. We tested the hypothesis that CRT effects on cognition and brain activity may occur at neuronal activity during the resting state irrespective of performance during fMRI tasks. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with reduced ALFF in inferior frontal cortex[26] Many of these implicated areas are closely related to cognitive performance such as processing speed[28, 29], working momory[30], executive function or problem solving[31]. We further test the relationships between ALFF changes and changes in these neurocognitive performances
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
