J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2006 Mar;45(2):109-116.

Neuropsychological Characteristics of Schizophrenic Patients who Committed Homicide

• Chung HY
• Chung S
• Jung J
• Chang JK
• Lee TK
• Kim M
• Park S
• Lee JD
• Yoo HK
• Kim CY
• Hong JP

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.

Keyword

Homicide; Schizophrenia; Cognitive function

MeSH Terms

Aggression
Brain
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Executive Function
Homicide*
Humans
Intelligence
Intelligence Tests
Memory
Neuropsychological Tests
Schizophrenia
Violence