Should cognitive impairment be included in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia

摘要: Neurocognitive impairment is considered a core component of schizophrenia, and increasingly under investigation as potential treatment target. On average, cognitive severe to moderately compared healthy controls, almost all patients with schizophrenia demonstrate decrements their expected level if they had not developed the illness. Compared affective disorders, in appears earlier, more severe, independent clinical symptoms. Although DSM-IV-TR ICD-10 descriptions include several references impairment, neither diagnostic criteria nor subtypology requirement impairment. This paper forwards for consideration proposal that specific criterion “a functioning suggesting consistent and/or significant decline from premorbid levels considering patient’s educational, familial, socioeconomic background”. The inclusion this may increase “point rarity” psychoses clinicians’ awareness potentially leading accurate prognosis, better outcomes, clearer signal genetic biological studies. Future research will need address validity these possibilities. reliable determination part standard evaluation present challenges diagnosticians limited resources or insufficient expertise. Cognitive assessment methods clinicians, including brief assessments interview-based assessments, are discussed. Given current emphasis on development treatments, cognition an essential mental health education.