Cognitive and brain function in schizotypal personality disorder.

摘要: Schizotypal personality disorder, a diagnosis defined partially in terms of genetic relatedness to schizophrenia, has begun receive extensive investigative study. While the exact etiologic relationship between schizotypal disorder and schizophrenia remains be determined, three models have been considered: (1) two may distinct disorders, (2) they essentially identical disorders but expressed with different degrees severity, or (3) related overlapping etiology that might account for many similarities yet lack psychosis severe deficits individuals. Some recent research structural functional neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognitive function, pharmacology is reviewed citation most findings from our laboratory others. Both schizophrenic subjects appear show abnormalities temporal lobe volume, do not volumetric decreases frontal cortex patients evidence. Abnormalities thalamic nuclei parallel these findings-the pulvinar, which projects association sensory cortices, reduced both mediodorsal nucleus, extensively cortex, patients. Functional imaging studies suggest there activation individuals can recruit alternative regions accomplish tasks requiring help compensate. Imaging subcortex including FDG/PET metabolic activity during verbal learning task, SPECT measure binding IBZM its displacement following amphetamine administration, plasma HVA determinations 2-deoxyglucose administration all possibility relatively dopaminergic subcortical compared Cognitive function also impaired areas working memory, learning, attention patients, as particularly susceptible high context dependence, schizophrenia. Preliminary trials catecholaminergic agents able improve functions.