Dynamics of memory and attention in children and adolescents with endogenous mental disorders during pharmacotherapy

Abstract

The effect of medication on memory and attention in children and adolescents with endogenous mental disorders is studied. Three groups of patients (N = 86) with different diagnoses – childhood schizophrenia , schizotypal personality disorder, and other mental disorders – were examined twice: at the beginning of treatment and 20-60 days later. Diagnosis-specific changes of cognitive functions were found. Patients with schizophrenia showed greater improvement in memory functioning while that with schizotypal disorder showed greater improvement in attention functioning.