Distinguishing separable domains of cognition in human and animal studies: what separations are optimal for targeting interventions? A summary of recommendations from breakout group 2 at the measurement and treatment research to improve cognition in schizophrenia new approaches conference.

At the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) New Approaches Conference, a discussion group focused on directions for future research that are critical to enhancing our understanding of the distinctions among key cognitive domains that have relevance for the development of cognition-enhancing interventions. One set of recommendations emphasizes the need for examining and optimizing the psychometric properties of relevant measurement paradigms from cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. This step is critical to translating many notable advances in these basic fields into measures that would be appropriate for clinical trials. A second set of recommendations focuses on key directions for the development and application of animal models of cognitive processes that would greatly aid the discovery and preclinical testing of potential cognition-enhancing agents. As part of this process, the group noted several existing animal paradigms that have particular promise as measures in the key cognitive domains in schizophrenia identified by the MATRICS Neurocognition Committee.