Long-term effect of prefrontal lobotomy on verbal fluency in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective. This study investigated the long-term effects of bilateral prefrontal leukotomy on lexical abilities in schizophrenia subjects. Method. we compared performances of leukotomized (LSP), non-leukotomized schizophrenia patients (NLSP) and normal controls, using a test of verbal fluency. Multiple case and triple comparison design were implemented. i.e., the performance of each LSP was compared to that of NLSP and that of a normal control. The sample consisted of four LSP, four NLSP, and four normal subjects. Subjects were matched in sex, age, handedness, and schooling. In Addition, schizophrenia groups were matched in diagnosis and years of hospitalization. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of generated words and errors produced by subjects were carried out. Results. A deficiency in both groups of schizophrenia was observed, although a better performance in LSP patients was detected. Conclusion. Intact Lexical ability in LSP indicates its poor relation to the frontal lobe.