The selective attention deficit in schizophrenia: limited resources or cognitive fatigue?

Article Abstract:

The possible association between schizophrenia and attention deficits has been studied extensively over the years, and researchers continue to investigate the specific attention deficits that may be involved in schizophrenia. An attention deficit is especially likely to show up if a task is demanding and the person faced with the task is distracted by extraneous information. Just such a task is involved in the Stroop Word-Color Test. Subjects are asked to identify the color of the ink in which a word is written, but the word is itself the name of a different color. Thus, the word "red" would be written in blue ink, and the correct response would be "blue". Subjects have a tendency to say the word which is actually spelled out, but must suppress this response and instead say the color of the ink; this is difficult and subjects typically respond slowly. The Stroop Test has been used with groups of patients with several different psychiatric disorders. In this study, the Stroop Test was given to 22 schizophrenics, 18 psychiatric patients without schizophrenia (all were depressed), and 22 normal controls. While both groups of psychiatric patients scored poorly on the Stroop Test, the schizophrenics had more trouble with maintaining selective attention over time than the nonschizophrenics. This finding demonstrates that the schizophrenics had two different selective attention deficits. They had difficulty focusing on a specific aspect of a complex stimulus (as did the depressed patients), but only schizophrenics had additional difficulty maintaining selective attention for a long period of time. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Research, Diagnosis, Testing, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenics, Selectivity (Psychology)

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Combination of treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults

Article Abstract:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually seen in children, but it is increasingly being diagnosed in adults. While children have been treated predominantly with stimulants, this approach has been only partially effective in adults. Concentration and attention have been enhanced by the stimulants, but behavioral problems such as impulsiveness, explosiveness, and irritability have not been successfully controlled by this type of drug. Combination therapy that uses a stimulant for attentional problems and another drug to control the behavioral problems may be beneficial. In the present paper, the case reports of three adults with ADHD are presented. Each was treated with a combination of a stimulant and nadolol, a beta-blocker. Mild to marked improvement in most symptoms was seen in all three cases immediately after the combination of drugs was administered, and the improvements have been maintained for 24 months. Possible mechanisms of drug action are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Nadolol

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Nomifensine maleate in adult attention deficit disorder

Article Abstract:

The drug nomifensine maleate helps treat attention deficit disorder of the residual type (ADD-RT), in which the patient has difficulty paying attention. The cases of 18 adults under nomifensine treatment were studied. By week four of treatment, all eight of the men and seven of the 10 women showed a significant decrease in ADD-RT and hyperactivity symptoms. Side effects were minimal, consisting of drowsiness, dry mouth, headache and nausea. One patient was found to be allergic to the drug. Thus, it is concluded that the drug is remarkably effective and free of side effects for short-term use.

Antidepressants, Nomifensine

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