Executive functions in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Executive functions constitute the core deficit in schizophrenic illness and have been related to structural and functional deficits, cognitive impairments and final outcome. AIM: To study the various dimensions of executive functions such as goal formulation, planning, behavioural programming and effective performance. METHODS: By using direct and indirect clinical neuropsychological methods, 31 patients were studied neuropsychologically by the trail-making test (TMT), Raven matrices and fluency tests, and their symptom patterns were quantified using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: The patients had varying degrees of involvement of different dimensions of executive functions. There was an inverse relationship to TMT and a positive correlation with Raven matrices and fluency tests. CONCLUSION: The dimensions of executive functions did not show any significant relationship with age, duration of illness or most scores in PANSS. Our findings are relevant for remediation and rehabilitation measures.