Intentionality as a link between the neuropsychology and the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Full Abstract

Cognitive deficits are an important feature of schizophrenia, particularly in the areas of working memory and executive function. However, their relationship to other clinical dimensions of the illness has remained elusive. We suggest that a phenomenological exploration of disordered intentionality in schizophrenia symptoms might provide us with a framework for understanding the role of cognitive deficits. We propose an understanding of intentionality as having a layered structure, which facilitates a mapping onto neuropsychological concepts. A disturbance of basic intentional processes can explain some of the 'positive' symptoms of schizophrenia. We focus on the temporal aspect of intentionality, which will be related to recent conceptions of prefrontal cortical function as the temporal organization of thought and behavior. A compensation of these basic disturbances leads to a 'minimization of change', which can explain some of the 'negative' symptoms. The compensatory strategies are thought to rely on the higher-order executive functions of the prefrontal cortex. These are also disturbed in schizophrenia, which often renders the process of compensation ineffective, leading to a fragmentation of thought and behavior. Thus the concept of intentionality might help us relate different aspects of prefrontal dysfunction to specific schizophrenic symptom clusters.(c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Kaiser, Stefan (S); Weisbrod, Matthias (M);

Affiliation: Psychiatric University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. stefan_kaiser(-atsign-)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Psychopathology (Psychopathology), published in Switzerland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 40 (issue 4) : pp 221-8

Dates: Created 2007/05/09; Completed 2007/08/01;

PMID: 17396048, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attention - physiology
Awareness - physiology
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; psychology
Delusions - diagnosis; physiopathology; psychology
Humans
Intention
Interpersonal Relations
Memory, Short-Term - physiology

Neuropsychological Tests
Prefrontal Cortex - physiopathology
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Schizophrenia - diagnosis; physiopathology
Schizophrenic Psychology
Set (Psychology)
Thinking - physiology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.