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Originalia

Does a Neurodevelopmental Lesion Involving the Hippocampus Explain Memory Dysfunction in Schizophrenia?

Published Online:September 01, 2006https://doi.org/10.1024//1016-264X.12.1.61

Abstract

Abstract: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that has been associated with structural abnormalities of the medial temporal lobes and with impairments of memory function. The evidence for this association is weak. Many analyses have not investigated whether the impairment of memory is over and above the recognized impairments of global cognitive function, attention or working memory, all of which are disturbed in schizophrenia. Another difficulty evident in studies to date is that the construct of memory has rarely informed the selection of neuropsychological tests used. Lastly, an understanding of the normal development of cognitive functions has not guided interpretation of results. In this review we examine the evidence for a hippocampal memory deficit in schizophrenia, and suggest that an appreciation of these three points can explain the impairments described. In particular, we propose that the effect of a neurodevelopmental lesion will have different consequences for functions that normally develop early in life, such as memory, compared with functions developing later, such as executive functions. The latter develop post-pubertally during the period of peak incidence of schizophrenia, and it is these functions that are most impaired in this disorder.


Erklärt eine neuronale Entwicklungsstörung des Hippocampus die Gedächtnisstörungen schizophrener Patienten?

Zusammenfassung: Schizophrene Erkrankungen werden häufig mit strukturellen Veränderungen der Temporallappen und mit Gedächtnisdefiziten in Verbindung gebracht, obwohl die Grundlage für diesen Zusammenhang eher schwach ist. Viele Studien haben nicht untersucht, ob die Gedächtnisdefizite bei schizophrenen Erkrankungen über eine dabei ebenfalls vorhandene Störungen allgemeiner kognitiver Funktionen und einer Störung der Aufmerksamkeit und des Arbeitsgedächtnisess hinausgehen. Eine weitere Schwierigkeit besteht darin, dass Gedächtnisleistungen durch die Auswahl der angewendeten neuropsychologischen Tests nicht spezifisch und differentiell genug erfasst werden. Schließlich, und vielleicht am wichtigsten ist jedoch, dass die Resultate nicht im Rahmen einer neuronalen Entwicklungsstörung interpretiert wurden. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit untersuchen wir die Hinweise, die für ein hippokampales Gedächtnisdefizit bei schizophrenen Erkrankungen sprechen. Wir kommen zu dem Schluss, dass durch die drei oben genannten Punkte die bei schizophrenen Patienten gefundenen Beeinträchtigungen weitgehend erklärt werden können.

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