Neuropsychological Characteristics of Schizophrenic Patients who Committed Homicide.
- Author:
Hye Yoon CHUNG
1
;
Seockhoon CHUNG
;
Jaeyeul JUNG
;
Jung Ki CHANG
;
Tae Kyung LEE
;
Mujin KIM
;
Sungjin PARK
;
Jun Deuk LEE
;
Hanik K YOO
;
Chang Yoon KIM
;
Jin Pyo HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. jphong@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Homicide;
Schizophrenia;
Cognitive function
- MeSH:
Aggression;
Brain;
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Executive Function;
Homicide*;
Humans;
Intelligence;
Intelligence Tests;
Memory;
Neuropsychological Tests;
Schizophrenia;
Violence
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2006;45(2):109-116
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: There is a moderate but significant association between schizophrenia and violence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between violence and brain cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients who have committed homicide using neuropsychological tests. METHODS: The study involved three group of subjects: schizophrenics who have committed homicide (n=51), schizophrenics who have not committed homicide (n=50) and normal control (n=50). Intelligence test (K-WAIS), memory test (Rey-Kim Memory Test) and executive function test (Stroop test, WCST) as well as Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality (SIDP) were administered by trained researchers. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic variables among groups. Schizophrenic patients showed overall cognitive deficit in intelligence, memory and executive functions, regardless of homicide behavior. Homicidal schizophrenic group was not significantly different from non-homicidal schizophrenic group in every cognitive domain. There was no significant correlation between index scores of cognitive functions and Life History of Aggression assessment (LHA). However, index scores of cognitive functions were negatively correlated with the PANSS and schizotypal trait scores. CONCLUSION: Cognitive dysfunction is common across both schizophrenic groups. It doesn't significantly correlate with homicidal experience, but it correlates with the schizophrenic symptom domains.
