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Executive dysfunction and memory impairment in schizoaffective disorder: a comparison with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and healthy controls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

B. Amann ,
J. J. Gomar ,
J. Ortiz-Gil ,
P. McKenna ,
B. Sans-Sansa ,
S. Sarró ,
N. Moro ,
M. Madre ,
R. Landin-Romero  and
E. Vieta
...Show all authors
B. Amann*
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
J. J. Gomar
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
J. Ortiz-Gil
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain Unit of Psychology, Hospital General de Granollers, Spain
P. McKenna
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
B. Sans-Sansa
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain
S. Sarró
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
N. Moro
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain
M. Madre
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Doctorat de Psiquiatría i Psicologia Clínica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
R. Landin-Romero
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
E. Vieta
Affiliation:
CIBERSAM, Spain Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
J. M. Giokolea
Affiliation:
CIBERSAM, Spain Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
R. Salvador
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
E. Pomarol-Clotet
Affiliation:
FIDMAG Germanes Hospitaláries Barcelona, Spain CIBERSAM, Spain
*
*Address for correspondence: B. Amann, M.D., Ph.D., Research Unit, CIBERSAM, Complex Assistencial en Salut Mental, Benito Menni, Dr Antoni Pujadas 38, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain. (Email: benedikt.amann@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Background

Deficits in memory and executive performance are well-established features of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. By contrast, data on cognitive impairment in schizoaffective disorder are scarce and the findings are conflicting.

Method

We used the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III) and the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) to test memory and executive function in 45 schizophrenic patients, 26 schizomanic patients and 51 manic bipolar patients in comparison to 65 healthy controls. The patients were tested when acutely ill.

Results

All three patient groups performed significantly more poorly than the controls on global measures of memory and executive functioning, but there were no differences among the patient groups. There were few differences in memory and executive function subtest scores within the patient groups. There were no differences in any test scores between manic patients with and without psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions

Schizophrenic, schizomanic and manic patients show a broadly similar degree of executive and memory deficits in the acute phase of illness. Our results do not support a categorical differentiation across different psychotic categories with regard to neuropsychological deficits.

Keywords

BADSbipolar disorderexecutive functioningmemoryneuropsychologyschizoaffective disorderschizophrenia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 10 , October 2012 , pp. 2127 - 2135
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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