Cited by 43Schizophrenia research and treatmentPsychological Testing and AssessmentMental Health and Psychiatry

Clinical correlates of parametric digit-symbol substitution test in schizophrenia

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Amaresha, Anekal C., Danivas, Vijay, Shivakumar, Venkataram, Agarwal, Sri Mahavir, Kalmady, Sunil V., Narayanaswamy, Janardhanan C., Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan·2014·Asian Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

Processing speed deficit, ascertained by digit-symbol substitution test (DSST), is considered as a fundamental impairment in schizophrenia. Clinical correlates of processing speed abnormalities, especially using the parametric version of DSST is yet to be evaluated comprehensively. In this study, we examined schizophrenia patients (N=66) and demographically matched healthy controls (N=72) using computer-administered parametric DSST (pDSST) with fixed (pDSSTF) as well as random (pDSSTR) conditions and analysed the relationship between pDSST performance and clinical symptoms. Psychopathology was assessed using Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS)/Negative Symptoms (SANS) with good inter-rater reliability. In comparison with healthy controls, patients demonstrated significantly lesser number of correct responses (CN) in pDSSTF (t=8.0; p<0.001) and pDSSTR (t=7.8; p<0.001) as well as significantly prolonged reaction time in pDSSTF (t=7.1; p<0.001) and pDSSTR (t=7.0; p<0.001). The difference in CN between pDSSTF and pDSSTR [ΔCN] was significantly lesser in patients than healthy controls (t=2.61; p=0.01). The pDSST reaction time had significant positive correlation with negative syndrome scores as well as bizarre behaviour score. Significantly greater processing speed deficits in pDSST suggest potential relational memory/visual scanning abnormalities in schizophrenia. Furthermore, pDSST deficits demonstrated a significant association with the psychopathology, especially with the various negative symptoms and bizarre behaviour.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ajp.2014.03.010

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  • Deficits in processing speed as measured by DSST performance may mediate a wide range of other cognitive deficits and may further reflect a final common pathway of impairment in a range of simple and complex cognitive processes that are likely to include working memory and executive functions.

    “In fact, deficits in processing speed as measured by DSST performance may mediate a wide range of other cognitive deficits and may further reflect a final common pathway of impairment in a range of simple and complex cognitive processes that are likely to include working memory and executive functions.29”

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Authors
Amaresha, A. C., Danivas, V., Shivakumar, V., Agarwal, S. M., Kalmady, S. V., Narayanaswamy, J. C., & Venkatasubramanian, G.
Affiliations
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IN)
Corresponding author
Venkatasubramanian, Ganesan
Venue
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-08
Volume
10
Pages
45-50
ISSN
1876-2018 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2024573699
Cited by
43
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3
FWCI
1.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Asian Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Senior Fellowship Research Grant (500236/Z/11/Z)
  • Indian Council of Medical Research
  • Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
Keywords
schizophrenia, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, processing speed, reaction time, negative symptoms, relational memory, visual exploration, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms
MeSH terms
Adult, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Cognition Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Membrane Proteins, Neuropsychological Tests, Reaction Time, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Reproducibility of Results, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing

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