Sammanfattning
Objective: To investigate the association between the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
(PANSS) cognitive factors and cognition assessed by neuropsychological tests. Method: Ninety
patients with a psychotic illness, the majority having a schizophrenia diagnosis, were assessed
with PANSS ratings and tested by a comprehensive computerized neuropsychological test
battery, EuCog. Results: Test performance was in the normal range for some of the cognitive
indices, but substantially reduced for others, compared with norms, particularly speed-based
indices. PANSS ratings were non-specifi cally associated with cognitive indices representing
performance (speed and accuracy) and problem solving strategies (executive functions). There
was no discriminant validity for the cognitive factor. A regression analysis suggested that the
PANSS cognitive factors refl ected verbal IQ but no other cognitive domain like memory,
attention or speed. Conclusion: Cognitive test performance is associated with psychopathology
as assessed by PANSS items but in a non-specifi c way. The PANSS cognitive subscale seems
to refl ect over-learned verbal skills rather than the cognitive domains, which are known to be
specifi cally affected in schizophrenia and relevant for the prognosis. Consequently, PANSS
ratings cannot replace the information inherent in neuropsychological test data. The extensive
speed problem of patients with schizophrenia should be studied in more detail using test
batteries that focus on that problem.