Developmental Research
Neuropsychiatric Testing for School-Age Children
Individuals with schizophrenia have long been noted to show deficits on cognitive tasks designed to assess memory and attention. They have also shown some deficits on measures of emotional perception, inhibition and visuospatial skills. Although findings show differences in individuals with schizophrenia, testing of cognitive function using neuropsychological measures is difficult due to the fact that there are multiple sensory and cognitive processes at work for each task.
Instead of using a full battery of tests (like you would have if you went to a neuropsychologist), we have selected tasks that we believe to be more closely associated with the types of deficits common to schizophrenia. By comparing the results between groups of individuals with schizophrenia, their relatives, individuals without a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and individuals with other disorders we can say with more certainty that these cognitive functions are impaired in people with schizophrenia. We can then look at the areas in the brain and the DNA that are associated with these cognitive functions. These findings will help us further our understanding of schizophrenia, explore better treatment options, and, potentially, find ways to reduce the incidence of schizophrenia.
Some of these tests of memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities are computer based tasks that are completed on a computer screen. Others are given by trained researchers. In either case, each task will be explained in full and there is always someone available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise. These neuropsychological tests take approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours to complete.
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