Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Neuroscience Research Center and Institute of Neuropharmacology, Psychiatry Department, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2
Neurology Research Center, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Department of Counselling in Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4
Psychiatry Department, Neurology Research Center, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
10.34172/ahj.2022.1143
Abstract
Background: There are similar findings about the similarities and differences of cognitive dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia
and methamphetamine-induced psychosis (MIP). This study aimed to compare cognitive functioning in schizophrenia and MIP
patients, using a performance-based cognitive assessment battery and an interview-based assessment of cognition.
Methods: Three groups participated in this study including, (a) 30 patients with MIP, (b) 30 patients with schizophrenia, and
(c) 30 healthy individuals. All participants received the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), a standardized
performance-based cognitive battery, the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and the interview-based assessment of
cognition.
Findings: Both groups of patients with schizophrenia and MIP performed poorly on all the BACS cognitive domains compared with
the healthy controls. The two patient groups were significantly different on the three BACS subscales including verbal fluency,
verbal memory, and speed of information processing. Schizophrenia patients performed worse than the MIP group concerning these three subscales. However, the two patient groups were similar in executive function, working memory, and motor speed. Moreover, the SCoRS-informant, SCoRS-global, and PANSS-negative significantly differed between schizophrenia and MIP patients.
Conclusion: Although cognitive dysfunctions are mostly similar in patients with MIP and schizophrenia, there are some differences
especially in the functions related to prefrontal and temporal lobes.
Keywords