TY - JOUR
T1 - What happens to semantic memory when formal thought disorder remits?
T2 - Revisiting a case study
AU - Leeson, V.C.
AU - McKenna, P. J.
AU - Murray, G.
AU - Kondel, T.K.
AU - Laws, K.R.
N1 - Original article can be found at: http://www.informaworld.com Copyright Informa / Taylor & Francis Group [Full text of article is not available in the UHRA]
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Introduction: Laws, Kondel, and McKenna (1999) previously reported a case study analysis of a schizophrenic patient (TC) with severe formal thought disorder (FTD). Examining consistency across item and modality of input, Laws et al. documented an impairment of access to semantic knowledge in TC. Method: Following substantial improvement in his FTD, we readministered the same extensive battery of neuropsychological tests tapping semantic memory functioning. Results: Whilst TC's naming remained relatively good, it also became more consistent across both time and modality. Tasks tapping language comprehension and understanding of semantic association revealed some significant improvements. Nevertheless, TC showed a residual propensity to verify false information. Conclusion: Improvement in FTD in schizophrenia was accompanied by a better and more stable semantic memory performance in TC. The findings are consistent with, and expand upon the original suggestion that thought disorder reflects disorganised access to semantic memory.
AB - Introduction: Laws, Kondel, and McKenna (1999) previously reported a case study analysis of a schizophrenic patient (TC) with severe formal thought disorder (FTD). Examining consistency across item and modality of input, Laws et al. documented an impairment of access to semantic knowledge in TC. Method: Following substantial improvement in his FTD, we readministered the same extensive battery of neuropsychological tests tapping semantic memory functioning. Results: Whilst TC's naming remained relatively good, it also became more consistent across both time and modality. Tasks tapping language comprehension and understanding of semantic association revealed some significant improvements. Nevertheless, TC showed a residual propensity to verify false information. Conclusion: Improvement in FTD in schizophrenia was accompanied by a better and more stable semantic memory performance in TC. The findings are consistent with, and expand upon the original suggestion that thought disorder reflects disorganised access to semantic memory.
KW - psychology
U2 - 10.1080/13546800344000345
DO - 10.1080/13546800344000345
M3 - Article
SN - 1354-6805
VL - 10
SP - 57
EP - 71
JO - Cognitive Neuropsychiatry
JF - Cognitive Neuropsychiatry
IS - 1
ER -