ABSTRACT
Cognitive impairments are core features of schizophrenia. Neuropsychological impairments have been demonstrated across multiple areas, including basic cognitive functions such as attention and psychomotor speed, as well as higher order functions including working memory, verbal learning and memory, and executive function (Gold & Harvey, 1993; Saykin et al., 1994). Individuals who have worse cognitive functioning are more likely to be chronically institutionalized, have impaired social skills and social functioning, have poorer self-care skills, and benefit less from psychiatric rehabilitation (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Cognitive deficits are seen in the earliest stages of the disorder and thus are often present in first episode, antipsychotic naïve individuals, suggesting that these deficits are not merely the byproduct of medication, or chronic, repeated hospitalizations. In regard to treatment, level of cognition is a better predictor of outcome than severity of positive or negative symptoms (Meltzer et al., 1998). The societal effects of cognitive impairments have been well documented. It has been estimated that only about 50% of patients with schizophrenia are employed at any time in any capacity (Cook & Razzano, 2000), and estimates of the yearly direct and indirect cost of schizophrenia in the United States range from to $35 to $65 billion (Sevy & Davidson, 1995).
