Working memory in schizophrenia and its methods of evaluation

Memory impairments have been increasingly recognized as an important neurocognitive feature of schizophrenia. Dysfunctioning of Working memory as a system for short- term storage and manipulation of information may relate to a number of core symptoms observed in schizophrenia. This review study investigated different aspects of working memory and its related methods of evaluation in schizophrenia. A comprehensive search of literature published between 1990 and 2011 using several databases (including Pubmed, Proquest Science Direct, Black Well and Scopus) as well as library resources was carried out. The following keywords were used both independently and in combination: “schizophrenia”, “memory”, “Working Memory” and “Evaluation”. It should be noted that only studies matching inclusion criteria concerning originality of studies, types of review, date of publication, adoption of a comparative approach and usage of valuable evaluation methods were finally reviewed. Significant deficits of working memory were demonstrated in schizophrenia groups across all three working memory domains. Most of studies indicated that some negative and positive symptoms can be affected by working memory impairments. Most of evaluations and tasks were specialized depending on the specific working memory area. However the results of evaluation can be changed along with the severity of symptoms.