Impairment in visual-spatial function in catatonia: a neuropsychological investigation

Author(s): Nagel, D., Danos, P., Leschinger, A., Lerche, J., Bogerts, B.

Journal/Book: Schizophr Res. 1999; 37: PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Elsevier Science Bv. 133-147.

Abstract: Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome with motor and behavioral abnormalities which may be due to alterations in fronto-parietal cortical function. We therefore investigated neuropsychological tasks (attention, executive, visual-spatial, working memory) associated with frontal and parietal cortical function. Thirteen catatonic patients, diagnosed as catatonic according to criteria by Rosebush and Bush, were compared with 13 psychiatric non-catatonic controls (matched with regard to underlying psychiatric diagnosis, age, sex, and medication), and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Catatonics showed significantly poorer performances and different neuropsychological intercorrelation patterns in visual-spatial object perception (VOSPobject) than psychiatric and healthy controls. In addition, we found significant correlations between catatonic symptoms, visual-spatial abilities, and attentional measures (i.e., d2, CWI). Catatonia was characterized by specific visual-spatial deficits which are related to attentional abilities and right parietal cortical function. The data suggest attentional-motor and fronto-parietal dysfunction in catatonia, a conclusion which should be considered as preliminary, however, due to the small sample size.

Note: Article Northoff G, Univ Magdeburg, Dept Psychiat, Leipziger Str 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, GERMANY

Keyword(s): catatonia; visual-spatial ability; right parietal cortex; attention; CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW; SCHIZOPHRENIA; MOVEMENTS; DEFICITS; PERFORMANCE; ACTIVATION; CATALEPSY; LORAZEPAM; CORTEX; SCALE

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