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Implicit learning of non-spatial sequences in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2005

CHERIE L. MARVEL ,
BARBARA L. SCHWARTZ ,
DARLENE V. HOWARD  and
JAMES H. HOWARD
CHERIE L. MARVEL
Affiliation:
Mental Health Service Line, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC Department of Psychiatry, Kober-Cogan Building, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Department of Neurology, 1620 McElderry Street, Reed Hall East-2, Baltimore, MD, 21205. E-mail: cmarvel1@jhmi.edu
BARBARA L. SCHWARTZ
Affiliation:
Mental Health Service Line, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC Department of Psychiatry, Kober-Cogan Building, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
DARLENE V. HOWARD
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
JAMES H. HOWARD
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC Department of Neurology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
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Abstract

Recent studies have reported abnormal implicit learning of sequential patterns in patients with schizophrenia. Because these studies were based on visuospatial cues, the question remained whether patients were impaired simply due to the demands of spatial processing. This study examined implicit sequence learning in 24 patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy controls using a non-spatial variation of the serial reaction time test (SRT) in which pattern stimuli alternated with random stimuli on every other trial. Both groups showed learning by responding faster and more accurately to pattern trials than to random trials. Patients, however, showed a smaller magnitude of sequence learning. Both groups were unable to demonstrate explicit knowledge of the nature of the pattern, confirming that learning occurred without awareness. Clinical variables were not correlated with the patients' learning deficits. Patients with schizophrenia have a decreased ability to develop sensitivity to regularly occurring sequences of events within their environment. This type of deficit may affect an array of cognitive and motor functions that rely on the perception of event regularity. (JINS, 2005, 11, 659–667.)

Keywords

Serial learningMotor skillsCognitionPsychiatryMemoryBehavior
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 11 , Issue 6 , October 2005 , pp. 659 - 667
Copyright
© 2005 The International Neuropsychological Society

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