ИСТИНА

Studies have shown that verbal abstract reasoning (VAR) is deteriorated in average-age onset schizophrenia (AOS). However, studies included late-onset schizophrenia (LOS) are limited. Objectives We examined VAR in LOS patients compared to healthy controls. Methods There were two groups: 14 LOS patients (mean age 60±9, 13 females) and 11 healthy controls (mean age 58.4±10, 7 females). WAIS Similarities subtest and proverb interpretation test was used to examine VAR. Proverb interpretation test included 9 proverbs in Russian. The scoring included 1 to 7 points scale, where 1 point matched correct interpretation and 7 points matched the absence of interpretation. To determine differences between groups The Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Results. No significant differences were found between LOS and controls on Similarities Subtest (U=48, p=.12) and Proverb Interpretation Test (U=41.5, p=.06). Mean scores on proverbs interpretation were 24±12 for LOS and 16.3±6 for controls. Mean scores on Similarities Subtest were 17±3.2 and 19±2.5 for LOS and controls respectively. Conclusions Despite the absence of significant differences, the LOS group performed slightly worse than controls. Domains of VAR are differently impaired in LOS. Possibly, proverb interpretation is a more complex, requires higher level of executive functions, verbal memory and other mental capacities to complete it. Noteworthy, bizarre answers, typical for AOS patients, were very rare in the LOS group. Further studies with a bigger sample size and including AOS group, are required https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/epa20/attendee/confcal/session/calendar?q=rupchev