Abstract
Cognitive dysfunctions are core and enduring deficits in schizophrenia, existed before first episode of the illness. Novel antipsychotic drugs exert more favourable influence on the cognitive performance in schizophrenia, compared with typical neuroleptics. However, some differences in this respect between various atypical antipsychotics may exist. In study the results obtained suggest that novel antypsychotics show differential effect on cognition, with risperidone especially improving working memory, however, they have superior influence on negative symptoms and cognitive functions compared to phenothiazines.
Improvement of cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia during treatment with typical neuroleptics may result in improvement of compliance, problem solving, better social adaptation and improvement or quality or their life.