Cognitive Function In Schizophrenic Patients Research Articles

The potential role of vitamin D supplementation to improve BDNF level and cognitive function in schizophrenic patients: a review

Background: A severe and long-lasting mental illness, schizophrenia, has detrimental effects on both the patient's life and surroundings. As a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative illnesses, vitamin D serves a critical function in shielding the brain from damage produced by free radicals. Among the vitamins that help patients with schizophrenia heal brain damage, vitamin D raises the brain's levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The aim of this review is to determine the role of vitamin D supplementation in improving BDNF levels and improving cognitive levels in schizophrenia patients. Methods: We performed the literature search within the last 10 years in June 2024 for either the English or Indonesian language article through PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library using the relevant keywords. The inclusion criteria included studies involving respondents with schizophrenia, describing the potential role of vitamin D in improving BDNF levels and cognitive function. Results: A collective of 1066 studies was initially discovered through searches using designated keywords and their publications within the previous ten years. These studies underwent a rigorous screening procedure with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conclusion: In patients with schizophrenia, vitamin D significantly raises BDNF levels and raises PANSS scores. Although a protocol has not yet established a consensus about dosage and mode of administration, supplementation—either by oral administration or food intake—is advised for patients with schizophrenia.

Co-administration of probiotic and vitamin D significantly improves cognitive function in schizophrenic patients: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Manipulation of the intestinal microbiome and supplying vitamin D can attenuate psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenic patients. The current study tried to evaluate the effects of probiotic/vitamin D supplementation on the cognitive function and disease severity of schizophrenic patients. In the present study, 70 patients (aged 18-65) with schizophrenia were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to the placebo (n = 35) and intervention (probiotic supplements+400 IU vitamin D, n = 35) groups. Severity of disease and cognitive function (primary outcomes) were evaluated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tests, respectively. Moreover, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), gastrointestinal (GI) problems, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated as secondary outcomes. A total of 69 patients completed the study. The MoCA score was increased by 1.96 units in the probiotic-containing supplement group compared to the placebo (p = 0.004). Also, the percentage of subjects with MoCA score ≥ 26 rose significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.031). Moreover, TC (p = 0.011), FBS (p = 0.009), and CRP (p < 0.001) significantly decreased in the supplement group compared to the placebo. Although the probiotic supplement reduced PANSS score by 2.82 units, the difference between the study groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.247). Co-administration of probiotics and vitamin D has beneficial effects on the improvement of cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.

Effectiveness of propofol in anesthetic management and cognitive function in schizophrenic patients undergoing convulsion-free modified electroconvulsive therapy.

To investigate the effects of propofol on anesthetic effectiveness and cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients undergoing convulsion-free modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 80 schizophrenia patients treated with MECT at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2021 to December 2023. Patients were divided into a control group (39 patients) receiving etomidate and an observation group (41 patients) receiving a combination of etomidate and propofol for general anesthesia induction. Parameters compared between the groups included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), time to spontaneous respiration recovery, wakefulness time, cognitive function (assessed by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in China, WAIS-RC), symptom severity (measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS), and adverse reactions. No significant differences were observed in SBP, DBP, HR, and SaO2 between the groups over time, nor was there any interaction between group and time on these parameters (all P>0.05). However, the observation group showed significantly shorter times to spontaneous respiration recovery and wakefulness (both P<0.05). Post-treatment, the observation group also had higher WAIS-RC scores and lower PANSS scores, along with a reduced total incidence of adverse reactions (all P<0.05). Propofol for the induction of general anesthesia in MECT, enhances clinical anesthetic outcomes, diminishes the impact on cognitive functions, and reduces the incidence of adverse reactions, thereby suggesting its high safety and efficacy.

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right orbitofrontal cortex for patients with first-episode schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The conventional targets of rTMS treatment are the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and temporoparietal cortex (TPC). However, the efficacy of these two treatment strategies was quite heterogeneous. Structural and functional abnormalities of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in schizophrenia are closely related to negative symptoms. We sought to determine whether 1 Hz rTMS over the right OFC is effective in treating patients with first-episode schizophrenia. In this study, eighty-nine patients with drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia were randomly divided into the rTMS (n = 47) or sham stimulation (n = 42) groups, with both groups receiving twenty sessions of 1 Hz rTMS treatment. The PANSS was assessed at baseline, day 10, and day 20, and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was implemented to assess the cognitive impairment at baseline and day 20. Results showed that patients in the active rTMS group had more improvement in clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits than patients in sham group at day 20. In conclusion, 1 Hz rTMS over OFC can improve psychotic symptoms and cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. Our study provides a new alternative for the treatment of negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

PENGARUH TERAPI COGNITIVE REHABILITATION TERHADAP FUNGSI KOGNITIF PASIEN SKIZOFRENIA

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, organized into multiple dysfunctional domains including positive symptoms, negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, mood, carelessness, and aggression. Impaired cognitive function is an inability in attention, memory, consideration, problem solving, and the ability of executives such as planning, assessing, monitoring and evaluating. One of cognitive deficit therapy in schizophrenia is Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is an influence between cognitive therapy rehabilitation of cognitive function in schizophrenic patients. This research used Quasi Experiment with non-random pretest and posttest with control group design and method of data analysis used comparative test which is wilcoxon test and mann-whitney test. This research was done on schizophrenia patients in RSJD dr. Arif Zainudin Surakarta with 32 samples divided into control group (n = 15) and intervention group (n = 17). The cognitive function examination was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) version of Indonesia which has been validate. Interventions were done for during 6 sessions for 2 weeks and were done in groups. The cognitive function score in the control group, the pretest mean was 20.26 and the post-test mean was 21.60. For the function score in the intervention group, the average pretest score was 21.8, while the average post-test score was 25.6. The results of the research data analysis used the Wilcoxon test on the pretest and post-test of the control group with sig. 0.000 with a p-value &lt;0.05; Wilcoxon test on pretest and post-test in the intervention group with sig. 0.000 with a p-value &lt;0.05; Mann-Whitney test in the control-intervention group with sig. 000 with a p-value &lt;0.05. This indicates that there is a significant difference in cognitive function abilities between the control group and the intervention group who underwent cognitive rehabilitation therapy for schizophrenia patients at RSJD Dr. Arif Zainudin Surakarta. This research shows a significant difference value between the control group and the intervention group. The result of the comparative test of both groups found that there was a significant effect on cognitive rehabilitation therapy on cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.

The Effectiveness of Meloxicam Adjuvant Therapy to Improve Cognitive Function of Schizophrenic Patients

Highlights:1. Schizophrenic patients have cognitive dysfunction.2. Meloxicam, as an adjuvant therapy, can improve cognitive function in schizophrenic patients. AbstractIntroduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder triggered by genetic and environmental factors such as an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response in schizophrenic patients increases with cognitive decline. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) group with Cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) inhibitory activity and can suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Meloxicam as an adjuvant therapy to improve cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using a single-blind, pretest–post-test design. The sample size in this study was 34 subjects who had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All samples were divided into two groups, namely the treatment group, with as many as 17 subjects receiving additional therapy with Meloxicam 15 mg/day for 4 weeks, and the control group, with 17 subjects. The score of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (ScoRS) was assessed before and after therapy. Data analysis used SPSS 25.0. In both groups, the SCoRS score was different.Results: In the treatment group, there was a decrease in the SCoRS score that was greater than in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference with p = 0.002 in decreasing SCoRS scores.Conclusion: In the treatment group, there was a decrease in the SCoRS score that was greater than in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference with p = 0.002 in decreasing SCoRS scores.

BDNF and Cognitive Function in Chilean Schizophrenic Patients

Despite cognitive symptoms being very important in schizophrenia, not every schizophrenic patient has a significant cognitive deficit. The molecular mechanisms underlying the different degrees of cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients are not sufficiently understood. We studied the relation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive functioning in two groups of schizophrenic patients with different cognitive statuses. According to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) results, the schizophrenic patients were classified into two subgroups: normal cognition (26 or more) and cognitive deficit (25 or less). We measured their plasma BDNF levels using ELISAs. The statistical analyses were performed using Spearman’s Rho and Kruskal–Wallis tests. We found a statistically significant positive correlation between the plasma BDNF levels and MoCA score (p = 0.04) in the subgroup of schizophrenic patients with a cognitive deficit (n = 29). However, this correlation was not observed in the patients with normal cognition (n = 11) and was not observed in the total patient group (n = 40). These results support a significant role for BDNF in the cognitive functioning of schizophrenics with some degree of cognitive deficit, but suggest that BDNF may not be crucial in patients with a normal cognitive status. These findings provide information about the molecular basis underlying cognitive deficits in this illness.

Association between lipid metabolism and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.

The association between blood lipids and cognitive function in schizophrenia is still controversial. Thus, the present study aimed to verify the association between various lipid parameters and cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients and potential lipid pathways. A total of 447 adult inpatients with schizophrenia were divided into cognitive normal and cognitive impairment groups based on the Mini-Mental State Examination with a cut-off of 26. The blood lipid parameters were defined as abnormal levels based on the guideline. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to preliminarily explore the potential lipid metabolism pathway associated with cognitive impairment. There were 368 (82.3%) patients who had cognitive impairment. Herein, apolipoprotein B was positively associated with cognitive function in overall patients and age (≥45 and <45 years) and sex subgroups. After excluding patients with hypertension and diabetes, ApoB was still significantly associated with cognitive function in all the patients. The associations between other lipid parameters, including non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, and cognitive impairment were heterogeneous in age and sex subgroups. In contrast, total cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 were not significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Metabolomics analysis showed that metabolic pathway mainly involved sphingolipid metabolism. Meanwhile, sphinganine and 3-dehydrosphinganine were positively correlated with lipid parameters and decreased in patients with cognitive impairment as compared to those with normal cognition. The present study suggests a positive association between lipids and cognitive function in schizophrenic patients and needs to be further verified by a prospective study.

Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Schizophrenic Patients with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination

Schizophrenia is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Cognitive deficit is the central feature of the neurodevelopmental disorders. Cognitive impairment is related to social, functional, and clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients alone, and in correlation with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). This clinical study included 31 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Patients were selected from Psychiatry Clinic. For the assessment of cognitive impairment, we used Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Of the total number of patients (n=31), 6/31 (19.4 %) were males and 25/31 (80.6 %) were females; the mean duration of the disorder was 23.5 years (SD=6.69). Seventeen patients (54.8%) of those who were on MMSE scale had a score greater or equal to 24 (normal range) and the MoCA scale had a normal score (&gt;21), while 11 (35.5%) patients reported moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Analysis of the correlation coefficient between the total score of MoCA and the MMSE scale indicates a statistically significant positive correlation with Spearman rho=0.81 and P

Effect of the correlation between gut microbiota and folic acid in first-episode schizophrenia

Objective: To explore the effects of gut microbiota and the serum level of folicacid on psychiatric symptoms in first-episode, drug-free schizophrenic (SCZ) patients. Methods: A total of 100 first-episode, drug-free SCZ patients (SCZ group) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and 90 demographically matched healthy individuals (healthy control group) were enrolled. The serum level of folic acid was measured by the electrochemical luminescence method.Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the psychiatric symptoms and Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to evaluate cognitive function. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the fecal samples for high-through put sequencing of the 16S rRNA.The effects of gut microbiota and folic acid on the psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function in SCZ patients were explored. Results: A total of 41 males and 59 females, with an age of (22.6±8.2) years were included in the patient group, and 32 males and 58 females with an age of (23.0±3.0) years were included in the healthy control group. The fasting folic acid level inserum of the SCZ group was lower than that of healthy control group [6.92(4.98, 8.49) μg/L vs 8.93(7.13, 13.37) μg/L,P<0.001]. The relative abundance of genus Bifidobacterium[0.005(0.003, 0.013) vs 0.014(0.004, 0.031)] and genus Bacteroides[0.015(0.001, 0.091) vs 0.083(0.029, 0.193)]was lower in the SCZ group than that of the healthy control group (both P<0.001). In comparison with the healthy control group, scores of cognitive function in the seven domains were significantly lower in the SCZ group (all P<0.05). In the patient group, the serum level of folic acid was negatively related to the negative symptom score(r=-0.378, P<0.001), but had a positive correlation with the score of speed of processing (r=0.310, P=0.011).In the SCZ group, the relative abundance of the genus Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with the serum level of folic acid (r=0.374,P<0.001) and the score of speed of processing(r=0.330,P=0.003) respectively, but was negatively correlated with the general psychopathology score (r=-0.326, P=0.001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the interaction term between folic acid and genus Bifidobacteriumin in SCZ patients were correlated with the general psychopathology score, with a regression coefficient of -29.240 (F=8.655, P=0.007). There was no statistical correlation between the aforementioned interaction term and cognitive function (both P>0.05). Conclusion: In first-episode, drug-free SCZ patients, there were decreases in the serum folic acid level and the relative abundance of genus Bifidobacterium, which were related to the psychiatric symptoms, suggesting that these two substances can be used as potential objective indicators for evaluating psychiatric symptoms.

Brain Gym Therapy For Schizophrenics Cognitive Function In Mental Hospital

Background: The cognitive function of the patient at the Intermediate Room of RSJ Mutiara Sukma has not improved.&#x0D; Objectives: This study aims to determine the effect of brain exercise therapy on cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.&#x0D; Methods: A quasy experimental study with non-equivalent control group before and after design was performed. The population were all schizophrenic patients in the intermediate room. Incidental sampling was carried out and obtained 40 cooperative schizophrenic patients and its divided into treatment and control groups. Cognitive function was assessed using the Schizophrenia Cognitive Rating Scale (SCoRS) and the difference in effect was measured using the independent-t test with SPSS&#x0D; Results: The mean of cognitive function at the treatment group was 44 before and 36 after treatment, at the control group was 50 before and 47 after treatment. The p value of the Lavene test was 0,000 with a 2-tailled sig of 0.001 on the independent t-test, showed a significant difference between the cognitive function of the treatment group and the control group&#x0D; Conclusion: The study showed that there were different effects of brain exercise therapy on reduction of cognitive function in schizophrenia patients in the intermediate room.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Pengaruh Modal Sosial terhadap Fungsi Kognitif pada Pasien Skizofrenia di RSUD dr. Soeselo

This study wanted to look at the relationship and influence of social capital on cognitive function in schizophrenic patients. Social capital is a concept that arises from the results of interaction in society with a long process and is believed to be one of the main components in driving togetherness, mobility of ideas, mutual trust and mutual benefit to achieve mutual progress. Interactions that form networks in togetherness in social capital contain norms, values and mutual understanding that facilitate cooperation in a group. Social capital is generally associated with health and is considered an important etiology in schizophrenia where in the early stages of schizophrenia there are significant cognitive symptoms making it very difficult for people with the disorder to work, study or work in social life. This research method uses the design of latitude cut study, conducted in dr. hospital. soeselo and using MMSE instruments. The results of the study found a link between social capital and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenic patients where in individuals with good social capital was shown to better adjust to cognitive function. Conclusions on individuals with good social capital can adjust better because individuals have had better coping, perception and adjustment about themselves and their environment, individuals already have the ability to maintain their communication and interaction in public life.

Impact of Duration of Untreated Psychosis on Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic and serious clinical syndrome with very aggravating psychopathology involving perception, cognition, emotion, and behaviour. Currently, cognitive dysfunction is seen as a core disorder of schizophrenia. Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) refers to the period from the onset of psychotic symptoms to the first adequate administration of antipsychotics.Aims: This review aims to analyse the impact of DUP on cognitive function in schizophrenia.Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following keyword: (cognitive function) and (neurodevelopmental OR neurotoxicity hypothesis) and (duration of untreated psychosis or DUP) and (schizophrenia or psychosis or psychotic) using the journal publication filter for the 2014-2020 issue. We also used textbooks published in the last 10 years and were related to writing themes.Review: There are two different opinions about the impact of DUP on the cognitive function of schizophrenic patients: (1) the neurodevelopmental hypothesis says there is no impact of the length of DUP on the cognitive function of schizophrenic patients; (2) the neurotoxicity hypothesis says the length of the DUP will impact the patient's cognitive function. Despite differences of opinion about the impact of DUP on cognitive function in schizophrenia, early intervention in schizophrenic patients is important because DUP is associated with worse general disease symptoms, lower likelihood of remission, more severe positive and negative symptoms, and worse social functioning and overall outcomes.Summary: There are differences of opinion about the impact of DUP on cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.

Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Schizophrenia and Cognitive Impairment

Background: Neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity play a key role as triggers and support for neurodegenerative processes, increase levels of TNF-α have been found in schizophrenic patients. Improved inflammatory processes have been demonstrated in acute and chronic schizophrenia. In schizophrenia is characterized by a collection of core symptoms that trigger individuals experiencing several cognitive disorders.&#x0D; Objective: To investigate the relationship of serum TNF-α levels to impaired cognitive function in schizophrenic patients in Medan, Indonesia.&#x0D; Method: This research is cross sectional analytical correlative study involving 40 male schizophrenic patients at Prof. Dr. M. Ildrem Mental Hospital through July to September 2019 that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum TNF-α levels were analyzed using Quantikine HS Human TNF-α Assay with a minimum detection limit of 0.1062 pg/ml while in the other hand, cognitive function test was carried out by using the Mini Mental State Examination.&#x0D; Results: Serum TNF-α levels with a mean of 25.1216 with a standard deviation of 1.7629. There is a positive correlation with moderate correlation (r = 0.4 - &lt;0.6) on cognitive function with the strength of correlation r = 0.434&#x0D; Conclusion: We found that there is a link between serum TNF-α level and cognitive function as assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Usefulness of a psychomotor function test as a cognitive function scale for patients with schizophrenia: A pilot study

As cognitive dysfunction due to schizophrenia is strongly associated with patients' social rehabilitation, cognitive functions have been examined as a therapeutic target. Although the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) has been used to evaluate cognitive function, it is difficult to administer in routine clinical practice due to its time-consuming nature. Therefore, a novel tool is needed to facilitate the assessment of cognitive function. In the present study, we examined whether cognitive function can be assessed effectively by testing psychomotor function in patients with schizophrenia. Test batteries consisting of choice reaction time (CRT) and compensatory tracking task (CTT) and the BACS were examined in 20 schizophrenic patients to evaluate the correlation between the scales by Pearson correlation coefficient. Of the test batteries, the CRT was significantly correlated with attention functions, a subtest of the BACS (r = -0.506, p = 0.023), and the CTT was strongly correlated with attention functions (r = -0.716, p < 0.001) and working memory (r = -0.633, p = 0.003). A multiple regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between psychomotor function tests and the total BACS score, and peripheral awareness task, a component of CTT, was independently associated with the total BACS score (β = -0.59, p = 0.004) with an R2 of 0.37. Thus, of the psychomotor function tests, the CRT and the CTT are highly useful in assessing cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. However, no having large sample size in this study is a limitation.

Planning impairment in schizophrenia: The possible role of abstract thinking and short-term memory

IntroductionThe planning impairment is one of the basic aspect of cognitive dysfunction, but its mechanisms in schizophrenia remain unclear.ObjectivesTo assess the links between planning and cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients and in norm.Methods50 patients with schizophrenia (age 34.92±8.54; illness duration 8.34±5.87) and 50 healthy volunteers (age 32.42±7.26) were examined. Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Benton’s test for short-term memory assessment; sub-test Similarity (from WAIS) to assess abstract thinking were used.ResultsPatients showed significantly worse results in all parameters (Tab.1). Table 1: Differences of planning between groups.SchizophreniaNormp-levelTOL-DX92,64±14,48102,52±11,970,00033Similarity16,92±3,9719,76±2,850,00009BVTR Score6,73±1,787,60±1,320,00709In healthy subjects, significant relationship was found between planning and abstract thinking, and there was no relationship between planning and short-term memory (Tab.2). Table 2: Correlations in the Norm groupSpearman Rp-levelTOL-DX &amp; Similarity0,3925300,004809TOL-DX &amp; BVTR0,1864940,194710In patients with schizophrenia, the opposite picture was observed (Tab.3). Table 3: Correlations in the Schizophrenia group.Spearman Rp-levelTOL-DX &amp; Similarity0,2623890,071596TOL-DX &amp; BVTR0,3445660,015331The effectiveness of planning in patients was significantly associated with short-term memory, but not with abstract thinking.ConclusionsStudy results indicate a possible role of basic aspects of mental activity such as short-term memory in planning impairment in patients with schizophrenia. Problem solving and reasoning disorders represent two relatively independent forms of thought disorders in schizophrenia.

Cognitive Profile of Patients with Schizophrenia in North Sumatera Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is one of the characteristics of schizophrenia traditionally experienced by elderly patients. In the past 25 years, studies have proven that the cognitive dysfunction is an early characteristic of this disease, besides introversion, drug abuse, suicidal behavior, and depressive symptoms. The mini-mental state examination is a test designed to identify functional and organic disorders in psychiatric patients. North Sumatera is often considered as “small Indonesia” due to the variety of tribes live in the province; therefore, a study in relation with the cognitive profile of patients with schizophrenia (PwS) is needed.&#x0D; AIM: We aimed to analyze cognitive function in PwS in the North Sumatera.&#x0D; METHODS: The study was a descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach of cognitive profile of PwS stressing in the age, sex, education, and illness duration of the patients.&#x0D; RESULTS: The results of the study using 200 subjects found that the most affected gender were male (62.5%), between the ages of 25–34 years (46%), with secondary school education background (55.5%), and with an illness duration &gt;1 year (64.0%). The results showed that cognitive function in schizophrenic patients was probable cognitive dysfunction (56.5%).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: From the results of this study, it was found that the most affected subjects were men, between 25 and 34 years, with high school education, and the illness lasted more than 1 year. Most of the schizophrenic patients experienced probable cognitive dysfunction.

Differential of Frequency and Duration Mismatch Negativity and Theta Power Deficits in First-Episode and Chronic Schizophrenia.

Background: Due to its impairment in patients with schizophrenia, mismatch negativity (MMN) generation has been identified as a potential biomarker for identifying primary impairments in auditory sensory processing. This study aimed to investigate the dysfunctional differences in different MMN deviants and evoked theta power in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and chronic schizophrenia (CS).Methods: We measured frequency and duration MMN from 40 FES, 40 CS, and 40 healthy controls (HC). Evoked theta power was analyzed by event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) approaches.Results: Deficits in duration MMN were observed in both FES (p = 0.048, Bonferroni-adjusted) and CS (p < 0.001, Bonferroni-adjusted). However, deficits in frequency MMN were restricted to the CS (p < 0.001, Bonferroni-adjusted). Evoked theta power deficits were observed in both patient groups when compared with the HC (p FES = 0.001, p CS < 0.001, Bonferroni-adjusted), yet no significant differences were found between FES and CS. Frequency MMN was correlated with the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery (MCCB) combined score (r = -0.327, p < 0.05) and MCCB verbal learning (r = -0.328, p < 0.05) in FES. Evoked theta power was correlated with MCCB working memory in both FES (r = 0.347, p < 0.05) and CS (r = 0.408, p < 0.01).Conclusion: These findings suggest that duration MMN and evoked theta power deficits may be more sensitive for detection of schizophrenia during its early stages. Moreover, frequency MMN and theta power could potentially linked to poor cognitive functioning in schizophrenic patients. The findings mentioned above indicated that the neural mechanisms of the three indexes may vary between people.

Medications Used for Cognitive Enhancement in Patients With Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease.

Cognitive impairment, which frequently occurs in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, has a significant impact on the daily lives of both patients and their family. Furthermore, since the medications used for cognitive enhancement have limited efficacy, the issue of cognitive enhancement still remains a clinically unsolved challenge. We reviewed the clinical studies (published between 2007 and 2017) that focused on the efficacy of medications used for enhancing cognition in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are the standard treatments for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Some studies have reported selective cognitive improvement in patients with schizophrenia following galantamine treatment. Newer antipsychotics, including paliperidone, lurasidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and BL-1020, have also been reported to exert cognitive benefits in patients with schizophrenia. Dopaminergic medications were found to improve language function in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, no beneficial effects on cognitive function were observed with dopamine agonists in patients with schizophrenia. The efficacies of nicotine and its receptor modulators in cognitive improvement remain controversial, with the majority of studies showing that varenicline significantly improved the cognitive function in schizophrenic patients. Several studies have reported that N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) enhancers improved the cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia. NMDAR enhancers might also have cognitive benefits in patients with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has also been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on attention, processing speed, and memory in female patients with schizophrenia. Clinical trials with larger sample sizes evaluating comprehensive cognitive domains are warranted to examine the efficacy of medications in cognitive enhancement in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

PICK1 Genetic Variation and Cognitive Function in Patients with Schizophrenia

The gene of protein interacting with C kinase 1 alpha (PICK1) has been implicated in schizophrenia, nevertheless, conflicting results existed. However, its role in cognitive function remains unclear. Besides, cognitive deficits impair the long-term outcome. We explored whether the polymorphisms of PICK1 (rs2076369, rs3952) affected cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. We analyzed 302 patients and tested the differences of cognitive functions, clinical symptoms between genetic groups. We also used general linear model to analyze the effect of PICK1 genetic polymorphisms on cognitive functions. After adjustment for gender, age, education, the patients with rs2076369 G/T genotype showed better performance than T/T homozygotes in the summary score, global composite score, neurocognitive composite score, category fluency subtest, WAIS-III-Digit Symbol Coding subtest, working memory, WMS-III-Spatial Span (backward) subtest, MSCEIT-managing emotions branch (p = 0.038, 0.025, 0.046, 0.036, 0.025, 0.027, 0.035, 0.028, respectively). G/G homozygotes performed better than T/T in category fluency subtest (p = 0.049). A/A homozygotes of rs3952 performed better than G/G in trail making A subtest (p = 0.048). To our knowledge, this is the first study to indicate that PICK1 polymorphisms may associate with cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. Further replication studies in healthy controls or other ethnic groups are warranted.