ABSTRACT
This exploratory study aims to examine the differential effects of a computer-based cognitive training in 'prodromal' patients (mean age 27.20 years, S.D. 5.31 years) compared with patients with full-blown schizophrenia (mean age 30.13 years, S.D. 7.77 years). Ten patients at risk for schizophrenia and 16 patients suffering from schizophrenia underwent a computerized cognitive training program (Cogpack). Cognitive functioning before and after a total of 10 training sessions was assessed by different tests controlling for memory, attention, and logical thinking. Prodromal patients turned out to be able to significantly improve their long-term memory functions and their attention after cognitive training with the Cogpack software package whereas in the group of patients with schizophrenia no improvement occurred (e.g. continuous performance test, identical pairs-subtest 'shapes': improvement from 0.73 to 0.88 in persons at risk of schizophrenia vs. no improvement in patients with schizophrenia (0.55 to 0.53). Cognitive training using Cogpack is helpful for the improvement of cognitive functioning in persons at risk of schizophrenia. Thus, the application of cognitive training should be provided as early as possible in the prodromal phases of schizophrenia in order to use the full rehabilitative potential of the patients. These results should be confirmed by further investigations including larger sample sizes.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/rehabilitation , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Schizophrenia/complications , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Attention/physiology , Emergency Services, Psychiatric , Female , Humans , Male , Memory/physiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Statistics, Nonparametric , Therapy, Computer-Assisted/methods , Thinking/physiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
In a substantial percentage of patients, mood disorders are accompanied by persistent neurocognitive impairment. Elderly patients with dementia often suffer from depression. Neurocognitive tests and imaging are increasingly used to complement diagnostics. Tests assessing memory, attention, executive functions, and visuospatial abilities might help to distinguish mood disorder patients who can be expected to develop dementia from those who will not. This review presents a summary of knowledge on neurocognitive profiles differentiating impairment in mood disorders and dementia. Ideas on pathophysiological causation and progression are translated into recommendations for patient management.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Dementia/etiology , Dementia/psychology , Mood Disorders/complications , Mood Disorders/psychology , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/therapy , Dementia/diagnosis , Dementia/therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Mood Disorders/diagnosis , Mood Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis is rare and shows a wide range of clinical manifestations. We report an immunocompromised patient with EBV encephalitis diagnosed by EBV-specific PCR and antibody testing in the cerebrospinal fluid who presented with psychiatric symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in the absence of any neurological impairments or infectious signs. Clinical recovery and clearance of cerebrospinal fluid EBV DNA appeared following ganciclovir treatment within 6 weeks.
