Rapid instruction-based task learning (RITL) in schizophrenia

Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Julia M SheffieldDeanna M Barch

Abstract

Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrate broad impairments in neurocognitive functioning as measured through laboratory-based tasks. Neuropsychological measures depend on rapid instruction-based task learning (RITL), the ability to rapidly translate task instruction into goal-directed behavior. Here, the authors present the first known investigation of RITL in schizophrenia and aim to test whether RITL deficits exist in schizophrenia, are associated with abnormal brain activation, and contribute to the generalized cognitive deficit. Twenty-nine schizophrenia participants and 31 healthy controls completed a previously established RITL task while in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner and completed a brief assessment of general cognition outside the scanner. Patients were significantly impaired in RITL accuracy and reaction time (RT). Compared to controls, patients had reduced activation of the caudate and left inferior frontal junction (LIFJ) while viewing task instructions, and across all subjects, lower activation in these regions was associated with worse RITL performance. During practice trials, activation in the anterior insula, LIFJ, and middle frontal gyrus also related to performance. RITL ability wa...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 22, 2018·Neuropsychology Review·Julia M SheffieldDeanna M Barch
May 7, 2021·Human Brain Mapping·Zachary Adam YapleRongjun Yu

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