Schizophrenia as a cognitive disease – A narrative review

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness affecting roughly 1% of the population and poses a complex challenge to psychiatrists and clinicians alike. In this article, the multifaceted aspects of schizophrenia are explored with respect to its cognitive manifestation. Furthermore, the interplay of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors is discussed. While current treatment regimens primarily target positive symptoms, cognitive impairment is increasingly noted as a defining feature impacting areas such as working memory, attention, and social integration. Neurotransmitter dysregulation, particularly in the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems, is explained in order to shed light on schizophrenia’s pathophysiology. Negative symptoms, although typically overshadowed by the more evident positive ones, are explored in the context of cognitive deficits and their resistance to current treatment regimens. Although the approach to schizophrenia has come a long way, significant challenges including societal stigma, limited treatment possibilities, and adverse effects of antipsychotic treatments remain as daunting hurdles. This article calls for a perspective shift in viewing schizophrenia as a primarily cognitive disorder. In doing so, it also advocates for a more holistic approach that addresses cognitive deficits alongside positive and negative symptoms to improve clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.