Impairment of executive function is the fundamental feature of the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia has to be measured throughout the illness regularly. Computerized technologies for assessment of cognitive dysfunction are widely used. However, their applicability in hospitalized schizophrenic patients setting should be specially examined.

Executive function in schizophrenia.

To test the applicability of “CANTAB” neurocognitive battery for measurement of executive function in young hospitalized schizophrenic patients in Russian sample.

Fifteen inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 (F 20.хх), 13 males and 2 females, aged 23.5(SD 3.2), disease duration is 5(SD 1.6) years and 16 healthy individuals, 7 males and 9 females, aged 21.3(SD 0.7). Spatial Working Memory (SWM) (Mnemonic Executive function), Stockings of Cambridge (OTS) (Planning Executive function), Intra/Extra-Dimensional Shift (IED) (Cognitive flexibility) were administered.

The majority of patients and controls easily understood the test instructions. Both groups did not have any difficulties with the touchpad. The “CANTAB” demonstrated sensitivity to the impairments of executive function. As a group, patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than controls on almost all tests: SWM–Between errors (P=0.028), Total errors (P=0.019), Strategy (P=0.03), Mean time to last response (P=0.001); OTS–Mean choices to correct (P=0.044), Problems solved on first choice (P=0.009), Probability of error given correct (P=0.021); IED–Total errors (P=0.015), Total trials (P=0.002).

The “CANTAB” is an applicable instrument for assessment of the executive function in young hospitalized schizophrenic patients. It can be used both for experimental and clinical needs.