Abstract
Neurocognitive impairment is considered a core component of schizophrenia. Majority of patients with schizophrenia demonstrate cognitive decrements compared with their expected level.
Cognitive impairment tends to be relatively independent of clinical symptoms and course of illness. This cognitive deficit is neither characteristic nor unique for schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is one of large number of neuropsychiatric disorders with cognitive deficit. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia includes deficits mainly in attention, working memory, verbal learning, and executive functions.
These deficits have been shown to be linked to impairment in functional status (eg, social behavior, work performance, and activities of daily living). The evaluation of cognition in schizophrenia should be a component of a clinical practice.