Verbal Memory, Visual Memory and Working Memory in Patients with Schizophrenia and their First-degree Relatives

Assessment of cognitive deficits in patients with schizo-phrenia bears significant implications, particulary in localizing the underlying accompanying neurological impairments. This study aimed for evaluation of cognitive deficits in first-degree relatives of these patients who reflect the same underlying genetic vulnerability for the disorder. In this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with schizophrenia, 30 first-degree relatives, and 30 control subjects were assessed. They completed tests of verbal & visual paired associate recall, Wechsler digit span, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Data were analysed using statistical t-test, ANOVA, Tukey test, Chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Our study revealed alterations in the memory of patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives compared to the controls. Both patients and their relatives also showed significant diffrence in verbal and visual paired associate recall tests, backward digit span, and PASAT. Diminished cognitive functions is observed in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia. Verbal and visual paired asso-ciation tests, Backward digit Span test, and PASAT may indicate vulner-ability towards this disorder