Cross-sectional study of older outpatients with schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects: No differences in age-related cognitive decline

Objective: Little is known about the progression of cognitive deficits in o lder, community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia, especially in compari son to healthy subjects. Method: The authors examined the relationship of age to performance on the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale in 116 out-patients with schizophrenia and 122 normal comparison subjects. Subjects ranged in age from 40 to 85 years. Results: Dementia Rating Scale scores were lower in the schizophrenia group but correlated negatively with age in both groups, with no significant dif ferences seen between the schizophrenia and normal comparison groups in slo pes that depicted age-related variation. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study suggests a relatively stable long-t erm course of cognitive impairment in individuals with schizophrenia, With no evidence of faster cognitive decline in outpatients with schizophrenia t han in normal comparison subjects.