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Formal Thought Disorder and Semantic Memory in Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Brita Elvevåg  and
Terry E. Goldberg
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Abstract

In this article, we review attempts to account for the thought disorder present in some schizophrenic patients in terms of cognitive deficits in the domains of working memory, attention, language, and semantic memory. Although each psychological construct can account for some of the data described here, establishment of a primary cognitive impairment responsible for thought disorder is not forthcoming, perhaps due to its underlying multidimensional pathology. While the relationship of working memory, attention, and language processing to thought disorder is ambiguous, semantic memory is emerging as a promising construct, that may yield insight into cognitive mechanisms that underlie thought disorder and neuroleptic responsiveness.

Type
Feature Article
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 2 , Issue 8: The Maze of Cognitive Dysfunction , September 1997 , pp. 15 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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