Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction - alongside positive and negative symptoms - is a core feature of schizophrenic disorders as already suggested by Kraepelin's concept of 'dementia praecox'. The significance of cognitive deficits is also evident from suggestions to include them as diagnostic criteria in future classification systems. Within the total group of schizophrenic patients, many different cognitive functions are disturbed. However, there is also a considerable degree of interindividual variability, which might reflect the assumed heterogeneity of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Cognitive impairments are clinically relevant as they have a negative influence on patients' social functioning and quality of life, predict functional outcome, and represent targets for pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological therapies. Moreover, the investigation of different cognitive endophenotypes provides an opportunity to more accurately characterize subgroups of patients and, in this way, to enable a more specific and successful treatment.
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