Thought Disorder and Executive Dysfunction in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Although, impairment of executive functioning is often reported in schizophrenia, its association with thought disorder has not been fully determined. The present study examined the relationships between positive thought disorder assessed using the Harrow's Thought Disorder Scale (Harrow's scale) and executive function by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in 27 inpatients with schizophrenia. Age at onset exhibited a significant negative correlation with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale comprehension test score of Harrow's scale and a significant positive correlation with percentage of perseverative errors on the WCST. No significant correlations were found between parameters of positive thought disorder and executive function. Thought disorder and executive function may play different roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Keywords:

• executive function
• Harrow's Thought Disorder Scale
• perseverative error
• schizophrenia
• thought disorder
• Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)