Can we Forget? Directed Forgetting and Embodied Cognition in Schizophrenia

Researchers used the directed forgetting paradigm composed of two lists of action verbs. The instruction "to forget" is given at the end of learning the first list (To Be Forgotten (TBF)), following a simulation of a computer bug. Therefore a second list is presented to be learned and remembered (To Be Remembered (TBR)). A recognition task is performed at the end. The action verbs had to be encoded using four conditions: action performed, mimed, imagined action, action with a contextual word, reading the action verb only. 48 schizophrenic patients were included in this study. Patients were randomized to have 10 participants per condition. 48 controls matched by age, gender, laterality and education are also included and randomized in the same modality. This study aims to show that the encoding of sensory-motor components, more than providing a context could improve the inhibitory capacities but also memory in schizophrenia, and possibly be used in remediation cognitive.

Inclusion criteria

for patients:

• Schizophrenic patients as defined in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV)
• Stabilized a therapeutic point of view for at least one month.
• Consent form signed
• Affiliated to a Security Health Program

Inclusion criteria

for volunteers:

• Consent form signed
• Affiliated to a Security Health Program

Exclusion criteria

for patients and volunteers :

• Not having a history of head trauma, neurological disease or not stabilized serious somatic illness,
• Not to use psychoactive substance, as defined by the DSM IV.
• The Intelligence Quotient must not be less than 70 (Progressive Matrices Standard score (PM38), Raven Progressive Matrix).