This study examined age-related differences and correlates of deficits
on phonological and category fluency tasks performed by schizophrenic
patients. Equal numbers (n = 41) of geriatric (age > 64) and
nongeriatric chronically hospitalized schizophrenic patients were examined
with tests of phonological and category fluency, verbal learning and
delayed recall, confrontation naming, and reading, as well as overall
estimates of cognitive impairment. Both types of fluency tests were
performed very poorly by both groups. Age-related differences were found to
be statistically significant. In both groups, category fluency impairments
were correlated with deficits in naming, while phonological fluency
deficits were best predicted by memory impairments. These data suggest that
category fluency impairments are part of a general profile of impaired
semantic functioning, whereas phonological fluency deficits may be induced
by alterations in information processing capacity.Abstract Teaser