Is the cognitive impairment in schizophrenia caused by medication?
Most neuropsychological studies in schizophrenia have been conducted on medicated patients. It has become increasingly clear that neuroleptic medication and the anticholinergic drugs that are given to treat extrapyramidal syndromes can have marked cognitive-impairing effects in patients with schizophrenia. Do drug-free patients with schizophrenia demonstrate significant cognitive impairment? The answer is a definitive yes. Several studies have appeared over the past few years which have clearly indicated marked and severe cognitive impairment in patients who have been taken off their medication, or in patients who have never been prescribed any neuroleptic or anticholinergic medication (e.g. Blanchard & Neale, 1994; McCreadie et al, 1997; Saykin et al, 1994). Although drugs may make a contribution, they do not account for the cognitive impairment that is observed in schizophrenia. The newer atypical antipsychotics and cognitive function Negative features and neuropsychological impairme
