BACKGROUND: It is well known that individuals with schizophrenia have dopaminergic abnormalities as well as memory-related difficulties, both of which are associated with impulsive decision making. We used a delay discounting measure to test the degree to which patients make future-oriented decisions. METHODS: 42 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy participants completed a delay discounting measure along with tests of cognitive function and, in patients, symptom ratings. RESULTS: Patients discounted more steeply than did comparison participants. Discounting among patients related to memory capacity and tended to relate inversely to negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The impulsive decision making evidenced by patients suggests that they may be prone to choosing immediate over long-term rewards, even when their interests are better served by choosing the latter. Improving cognitive function may enhance their ability to make future-oriented decisions.
BACKGROUND: It is well known that individuals with schizophrenia have dopaminergic abnormalities as well as memory-related difficulties, both of which are associated with impulsive decision making. We used a delay discounting measure to test the degree to which patients make future-oriented decisions. METHODS: 42 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy participants completed a delay discounting measure along with tests of cognitive function and, in patients, symptom ratings. RESULTS:Patients discounted more steeply than did comparison participants. Discounting among patients related to memory capacity and tended to relate inversely to negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The impulsive decision making evidenced by patients suggests that they may be prone to choosing immediate over long-term rewards, even when their interests are better served by choosing the latter. Improving cognitive function may enhance their ability to make future-oriented decisions.
Authors: Marina A Bornovalova; Stacey B Daughters; Gustavo Daniel Hernandez; Jerry B Richards; C W Lejuez Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Catharine A Winstanley; David E H Theobald; Jeffrey W Dalley; Trevor W Robbins Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Catharine A Winstanley; David E H Theobald; Jeffrey W Dalley; Rudolf N Cardinal; Trevor W Robbins Journal: Cereb Cortex Date: 2005-04-13 Impact factor: 5.357
Authors: Gregory P Strauss; Benjamin M Robinson; James A Waltz; Michael J Frank; Zuzana Kasanova; Ellen S Herbener; James M Gold Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2010-05-19 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Jennifer R Peterson; Catherine C Hill; Andrew T Marshall; Sarah L Stuebing; Kimberly Kirkpatrick Journal: J Agric Food Ind Organ Date: 2015-11-19