Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are most notably decrements in which domains?

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are most notably decrements in which domains?

• A. Long-term memory only
• B. Procedural memory and sensory memory
• C. Semantic memory and episodic memory
• D. Declarative memory and working memory

Answer: (D)

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia most strongly involve systems you use to actively hold and recall information. Working memory is the capability to maintain and manipulate a small amount of information over brief periods—essential for tasks like following multi-step instructions, solving problems, and keeping track of ongoing conversation. In schizophrenia, this short-term, online memory is frequently impaired, which disrupts learning new material and performing complex tasks. Declarative memory, the explicit memory system, covers both episodic memory (remembering personal experiences) and semantic memory (knowledge about facts). Individuals with schizophrenia often show difficulties with recalling events and with knowledge-based information, missing details from recent experiences and sometimes facts they once knew. This combination of struggling with holding current information in mind and with conscious recall of memories is a hallmark pattern. Other memory systems don’t typically show the same level of impairment in this condition. Procedural memory (how to do things like ride a bike) is often relatively preserved, and basic sensory memory tends to be intact as well. That’s why the pairing of declarative memory and working memory best captures the characteristic cognitive profile observed in schizophrenia.

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia most strongly involve systems you use to actively hold and recall information. Working memory is the capability to maintain and manipulate a small amount of information over brief periods—essential for tasks like following multi-step instructions, solving problems, and keeping track of ongoing conversation. In schizophrenia, this short-term, online memory is frequently impaired, which disrupts learning new material and performing complex tasks.

Declarative memory, the explicit memory system, covers both episodic memory (remembering personal experiences) and semantic memory (knowledge about facts). Individuals with schizophrenia often show difficulties with recalling events and with knowledge-based information, missing details from recent experiences and sometimes facts they once knew. This combination of struggling with holding current information in mind and with conscious recall of memories is a hallmark pattern.

Other memory systems don’t typically show the same level of impairment in this condition. Procedural memory (how to do things like ride a bike) is often relatively preserved, and basic sensory memory tends to be intact as well. That’s why the pairing of declarative memory and working memory best captures the characteristic cognitive profile observed in schizophrenia.