Verbal memory, verbal fluency and psychopathology in first episode of schizophrenia patients

Pages: 1292-1296
Manglesh Kumar Manglam (Department of Psychological Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Patna, Bihar)
Sentisungla Longchar (Department of Psychology,Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, New Delhi)

Deficit in cognitive function is a main feature of schizophrenia. Verbal memory and verbal fluency is the most impaired cognitive function found in schizophrenia. Positive and negative symptoms is constantly correlated with verbal memory and verbal fluency in schizophrenia patients. The aim of the study was to compare verbal memory, verbal fluency and psychopathology in first episode of schizophrenia and normal healthy controls and find its association between positive symptoms, negative symptoms and verbal memory and verbal fluency of schizophrenia. A sample of 60 first episode of schizophrenia patients, aged between 18 and 45 years were assessed at baseline with Logical memory (from Wechsler Memory Scale- III), Controlled Oral Word Association Test; and for positive, negative and general psychopathology. Thereafter, 28 normal controls were matched on age and education and were assessed for Logical Memory and Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Institute. The schizophrenia patients group performed significantly poorly on verbal memory and verbal fluency tests as compared to normal healthy controls. Positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia negatively correlated with verbal memory and verbal fluency.