Do Deficits of Working Memory and Executive Functions in Adolescent Schizophrenic Patients Are More Severe than in Adult Schizophrenic Patients?

Aim. The aim of the study was to compare working memory and executive function capacity in early-onset schizophrenic subjects with later-onset patients, who became ill in adulthood, in the first years of disease and also to assess the level of possible cognitive dysfunctions in the two groups of schizophrenic patients in partial remission of psychopathological symptoms. Method. 25 adolescent schizophrenic patients, aged 15-18 (M-17) years during partial remission of symptoms (PANSS-77) and 25 adult schizophrenic patients, aged 20-37 (M-26,9) years, during partial remission of symptoms (PANSS M-56). The control group consisted of 25 healthy adolescents, aged 15-18 (M-17) years and 25 healthy adults, aged 21-39 (M26,8) years. Results and conclusions. In schizophrenic patients with various types of illness onset (early vs. later) the significant dysfunctions of working memory and executive function, compared to healthy controls, were found. In the first years of disease there were no differences in the level of memory working and executive functions impairment in patients with early-onset compared to patients with onset of the illness in adulthood.