Abstract:

Objective: Working memory deficit has been found in people with schizophrenia and is thought to be a core cognitive dysfunction. However, little is known that whether the working memory deficits are different in working memory tasks using different stimuli. Methods: In the current study, a typical match-to-sample task was adopted to exa-mine the visual working memory in first-episode schizophrenic patients(n=18) and healthy controls(n=18). Face and house were used as the stimuli and the memory load was manipulated. Results: As face processing has been shown to be impaired in schizophrenia, it was hypothesized that the deficit is more severe in face working memory task than that in house working memory task. However, the results showed an equivalent amount of deficits in face and house working memory task. In addition, the working memory deficit was also independent of the memory load and had no relationship with the duration of illness, the medication, or the schizophrenic symptoms. Conclusions: These results imply that the working memory deficit in schizophrenia is independent of the stimuli.

Key words: First-episode schizophrenia, Visual workingmemory, Face perception, Schizophrenic symptoms