The effects of schizophrenia on neurocognition: a scope review

Abstract

Introduction. The schizophrenia disorder is characterized by positive and negative symptoms, which lead to functional impairments in social, affective, and professional dynamics. Cognitive deficits are among the main symptoms of schizophrenia, involving social cognition and neurocognition. Objective. To define the impacts of schizophrenia on neurocognition and the neurocognitive domains most compromised. Method. A scope review with studies that addressed schizophrenia and its cognitive impacts. The descriptors “Schizophrenia”, “Disorder” and “Cognition” were used and, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles were selected for the review. Results. The articles were predominantly clinical trials of European origin. To assess neurocognitive impairments, the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and The Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS) were used. The schizophrenia significantly affects neurocognition, with working memory and processing speed being the most affected domains. Among the brain regions affected with the cognitive decline associated with the disorder, deficits in functioning were observed in the left postcentral gyrus, left medial caudal frontal gyrus, and the left insula. It was not possible to clarify the relationship between cognitive impairment and the stage of schizophrenic disorder. There was also a correlation between neurocognitive impairment and the level of severity of symptoms, especially negative ones. Conclusion. The impact of schizophrenia in the field of neurocognition is severe, thus demonstrating the need for a greater amplitude in the treatment of the disorder and in the look at the symptoms, going beyond the positives and negatives most associated with the disorder. schizophrenic.