Relationship between clock-drawing and neuropsychological and functional status in elderly institutionalized patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to examine the usefulness of the clock-drawing test (CDT) as a measure of general cognitive and adaptive functioning in elderly patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

CDT performance of elderly institutionalized patients with schizophrenia were contrasted with a comparison group, similar in age. Cognitive and functional status was examined using an expanded battery from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease and the Psychogeriatric Dependency Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Patients (N=21) performed more poorly overall on the CDT than the comparison group (N=21), with greater clock number and hand errors. Production of the clock's gestalt did not differ between groups. In patients, overall CDT performance and clock hand placement were significantly correlated with general cognitive functioning, memory, visuoconstruction, and word-list generation. CDT global and hand placement performances corresponded to patients' general orientation.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired CDT performance in elderly patients with schizophrenia is not attributable to normal aging. Also, the CDT uniquely relates to an array of cognitive abilities in this population, validating its multicognitive character and implicating multiple brain regions. The CDT's tolerability and brevity make it attractive for use in geriatric schizophrenia.