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. 2007 May;12(3):213-21.
doi: 10.1080/13546800601005900.

Delay discounting in schizophrenia

Erin A Heerey  1 , Benjamin M Robinson, Robert P McMahon, James M Gold
Affiliations

Delay discounting in schizophrenia

Erin A Heerey et al. Cogn Neuropsychiatry. 2007 May.

Abstract

Background: It is well known that individuals with schizophrenia have dopaminergic abnormalities as well as memory-related difficulties, both of which are associated with impulsive decision making. We used a delay discounting measure to test the degree to which patients make future-oriented decisions.

Methods: 42 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy participants completed a delay discounting measure along with tests of cognitive function and, in patients, symptom ratings.

Results: Patients discounted more steeply than did comparison participants. Discounting among patients related to memory capacity and tended to relate inversely to negative symptoms.

Conclusions: The impulsive decision making evidenced by patients suggests that they may be prone to choosing immediate over long-term rewards, even when their interests are better served by choosing the latter. Improving cognitive function may enhance their ability to make future-oriented decisions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Natural log transformed histograms of discounting rate estimates
Figure 2
Figure 2
Delay discounting by LDR-size in participants with and without schizophrenia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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