Abstract
For those interested in a quick and easy, though surprisingly detailed, overview of cognition in schizophrenia, this well-written little handbook is a valuable resource. The authors are recognized leaders in the field, and credible in the extent of their own research programmes. They address the relevant aspects of attention, memory and executive function in schizophrenia and provide an informative outline of the components of cognition that readers unfamiliar with the area would appreciate. In the process, they highlight these deficits as core features of the disorder and address common misconceptions and controversies regarding functioning in chronic schizophrenia in a highly organized manner. Moreover, the related findings from a daunting field of neuropharmacology and neuroimaging are presented in a practical format that proves to be an excellent summary of the area.
Particularly helpful to this reviewer were the overviews on cognitive behavioural enhancement, and on functional deficits and how they relate to cognition. These chapters particularly stimulate those in clinical practice to consider the underlying components of cognitive deficits that may be contributing to observable symptomatology. Here, appropriate assessment of features of declarative and working memory, vigilance, and components of executive function, for example, are highlighted as a focus for cognitive remediation and rehabilitation. The style of writing is smooth, and regular summary tables and figures enhance the text. Some readers familiar with the area may find the approach ‘USA-centric’. Overall, however, students, allied health professionals and trainee psychiatrists who work with patients in this area will no doubt find this handbook an excellent addition to their professional libraries.