Cognitive and functional impairments in elderly patients with schizophrenia: A review of the recent literature

Although cognitive and functional impairments are very common in patients w ith schizophrenia, little is known about the characteristics of these impai rments in older patients with the illness. Even less is known about the lon gitudinal course of these impairments. This article reviews the current kno wledge with regard to cognitive and functional aspects of schizophrenia in late life, with a focus on the course of cognitive and functional deficits. Although the common belief has been that schizophrenia is static over the lifespan, recent evidence suggests that some patients may experience declin es in their functioning over time. The predictors and course of these decli nes, as well as their potential underlying causes, are described in detail. Evidence regarding schizophrenia as a lifelong, dynamic brain disease is a lso reviewed.