Theory of mind and neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia

The aim of this work was to study the problem of interrelation between theory of mind and neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia. Tasks: analysis of the literature on the problem of interrelation of theory of mind and neurocognitive functioning in schizophrenia. Subject of research: interrelation of theory of mind and neurocognitive functioning. Research hypothesis: the state of the mental model correlated with neurocognitive functioning. Registered a decline in the functioning of theory of mind in schizophrenia. It is known that hypofrontality in schizophrenia determines the reduction of social perception. A number of authors allocate structures in the brain, providing mental models: regions of the medial prefrontal cortex and posttemporal areas, including the temporo parietal region. Some studies found relationship between the theory of mind and memory, executive functions. However, there are studies, which has not been found the interrelation between theory of mind and neurocognitive functioning. Nonetheless, some studies concluded that currently there is no consensus about the influence of neurocognitive functioning on the theory of mind in schizophrenia.

Consciousness and Hallucinations in Schizophrenia: The Role of Synapse Regression

Consciousness takes two forms, transitive and intransitive. Transitive consciousness is a matter of being conscious of something or other whereas intransitive consciousness has no object, as being conscious or awake. Of the different forms of transitive consciousness, perceptual, somatic, kinaesthetic and so on, cognitive neuroscience has concentrated on determining the neural concomitants of perceptual consciousness. To be conscious of a percept is to be aware of it and this requires attending to it. This work sets out a hypothesis as to what brain areas are involved in a schizophrenia subject attending and becoming aware of hallucinations. First, the different areas of cortex that support different visual and auditory illusions of percepts are considered. Next it is argued that endogenous activity in these areas of cortex give rise to hallucinations of percepts that are similar to the percepts that these same areas support during illusions. The basis of such endogenous activity, it is suggested, is to be found in the paucity of afferent synapses to these cortical areas. This may occur as a consequence of loss and regression of synapses due to a degenerative disease or because of abnormal synapse formation and regression during childhood and adolescence, as is likely to be the case in schizophrenia. Finally the neural basis of attention and awareness of these hallucinations are considered for subjects suffering from schizophrenia, and a set of important questions posed that await elucidation through future experimental studies.