Abstract
Background: One of the strongest findings in neuropsychological studies of schizophrenia is memory impairment, but the timing of this impairment is still unclear. In addition, the tools used to assess memory function have been varied and may not have assessed functions dependent on plastic brain regions.Methods:In this study we sought to investigate longitudinal change in associative memory in first episode psychosis patients, using both a verbal (paired associate learning from the Wechsler Memory Scale) and a visual (visuospatial paired associates from the CANTAB) associative learning test. Results: Our preliminary data from 16 patients and 13 controls (mean time between assessments = 73.4 months, range = 61.4 – 85.2 months) showed a significant decline in VSPAL function in the patient group (repeatedmeasures ANCOVA; Time x Group interaction F[1,24]=10.1, p=0.004), but no change in VPAL (repeated-measures ANCOVA; Time x Group interaction F[1,25]=0.01, p=0.915). Conclusions: These data support our previous cross-sectional study, and suggest that there are cognitive functions that decline with continued psychotic illness. It remains to be seen whether these progressive impairments are associated with structural brain changes. Supported by NHMRC 350241 & 299966
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