Individuals suffering from schizophrenia normally exhibit some degree of memory impairment.
Memory impairment appears to be a primary symptom of the disease, and its underlying causes are likely organic. In particular, anticholinergic agents used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms, a common complication of neuroleptic drugs, appear to have a deleterious effect on memory. Memory impairment is an important consideration in the clinical assessment and management of patients with schizophrenia. Patients' psychiatric and extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed while they were receiving classical neuroleptic treatment and adjunctive medications. Patients were then reassessed after changing to a new treatment of risperidone.