Cognitive Deficits in Patients With Schizophrenia: Effects and Treatment

The average patient with schizophrenia performs on cognitive tests at the lowest 5% to 10% of the general population. Cognitive impairments impact patients on virtually every aspect of functioning, interfere with patients’ ability to engage in real-world tasks, and affect long-term outcome. Therefore, cognitive deficits should be included in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Clinicians need to focus treatment options on helping patients to regain premorbid levels of cognitive functioning.