Spatial navigation, cognitive coordination and behavioral flexibility belong amongst cognitive functions, which play a role in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Behavioral tasks have proved to be useful paradigms to test these functions in pharmacological or genetic animal models. First aim was to determine a potential interaction between β-adrenergic and α1-adrenergic or D2-dopaminergic systems. Spatial navigation and coordination were impaired in both studies during co-aplication of subthreshold doses of drugs. Used substances belong to group of widely prescribed drugs, thus our results could be implicated in clinical practice. Another study examined an acute effect of MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia) on behavioral flexibility in Carousel maze and the Morris water maze (MWM). Carousel maze showed higher sensitivity with impairments from 0.08 mg.kg-1 compared to 0.10 mg.kg- 1 in MWM. The final experiment aimed at testing the effect of reduced expression of Nogo-A protein on spatial navigation and behavioral flexibility of rats. A battery of tests in the Carousel maze revealed impairment in cognitive functions, MWM showed unaffected working memory of rats. Our results support the hypothesis linking Nogo-A knock-down rats with neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive disorders. Key words:...

The term splitting is defined as a process of formation of mental aggregates linked incompatible experiences producing numerous divisions in mental apparatus. Current findings indicate that psychological splitting in schizophrenia is likely specifically presented on a neural level as disrupted organization in neural communication. This disrupted neural communication likely underlies deficits in mental processing described by various neuroscientific concepts such as theories of disturbed connectivity, corollary discharges and dynamic complexity. In this context, a purpose of the theoretical part of the dissertation is to describe basic neuroscience theories that complementarily reflect interrelated processes between mind and brain underlying disturbances of mental integration that likely present a neural representation of the splitting. A purpose of the first part of the empirical research was to examine relationships between psychological process of splitting and disturbed cognitive and affective functions in schizophrenia. A sample of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) was used as a control group in this study. Methods: In the clinical study, we have assessed 30 patients with schizophrenia and 35 patients with BPD. The symptoms of splitting were measured using self- reported...

Spatial navigation, cognitive coordination and behavioral flexibility belong amongst cognitive functions, which play a role in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Behavioral tasks have proved to be useful paradigms to test these functions in pharmacological or genetic animal models. First aim was to determine a potential interaction between β-adrenergic and α1-adrenergic or D2-dopaminergic systems. Spatial navigation and coordination were impaired in both studies during co-aplication of subthreshold doses of drugs. Used substances belong to group of widely prescribed drugs, thus our results could be implicated in clinical practice. Another study examined an acute effect of MK-801 (animal model of schizophrenia) on behavioral flexibility in Carousel maze and the Morris water maze (MWM). Carousel maze showed higher sensitivity with impairments from 0.08 mg.kg-1 compared to 0.10 mg.kg- 1 in MWM. The final experiment aimed at testing the effect of reduced expression of Nogo-A protein on spatial navigation and behavioral flexibility of rats. A battery of tests in the Carousel maze revealed impairment in cognitive functions, MWM showed unaffected working memory of rats. Our results support the hypothesis linking Nogo-A knock-down rats with neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive disorders. Key words:...

In majority of schizophrenia patients, from the first episode of psychosis throughout the entire span of the illness, a cognitive deficit is one of the core symptoms. Assessing cognitive performance with empirically based methods is a vital part of clinical practice. Until recently, Czech adaptations of the MATRICS battery (standardly used for assessing cognition in schizophrenia worldwide) and the Tower of London, ToL (a basic test measure of executive planning ability) were absent. The primary aim of this dissertation thesis was to provide these methods for research and clinical use in Czech professional environment. This goal was achieved with both ToL and MATRICS in two basic steps. Firstly, Czech adaptations of both tests were carried out, namely translation of test instructions and establishment of standard administration and scoring. Secondly, complex psychometric analyses were conducted for both tests, including validation of their Czech versions for the purpose of assessing cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. The results suggest that ToL is a suitable tool for recognising executive planning deficit in general as well as in schizophrenia patients specifically. Also, the planning ability in schizophrenia patients, as measured by ToL, is one standard deviation below average when compared...

The thesis draws attention to the mentally disordered healthcare with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It describes basic social services, with a focus on legislation and social workers' competencies and code of ethics. It deals with the methods of social services regarding schizophrenic patients. It defines the reasons for inception of schizophrenia and possibilities for patients' reintegration into the society. It deals with the concept of schizophrenia, examines the types of schizophrenia and possible treatments. In addition, it points out the importance of social workers involvement while working with mentally disordered people. Due to the fact that schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder, I decided to work as an intern in the therapeutic community Mýto. Based on my experience, I attempted a deeper analysis of this therapeutic residence.

The thesis examines social cognition and object relations in patients with schizophrenia using Thematic Apperception Test evaluated by SCORS. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with schizophrenia, Thematic Apperception Test and its interpretation systems (especially Westen's SCORS). Attention is also paid to the theoretical background of social cognition and object relations in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study is to verify the assumption that patients with schizophrenia will reach pathological scores in SCORS. The study also explores the relationships between different dimensions of SCORS in this clinical population. The results indicate that patients with schizophrenia have numerous deficits in social cognition and object relations, as measured by SCORS. Significantly lower scores (that belong or are very close to pathology) were found in a total of five SCORS's dimensions. In the remaining three dimensions patients with schizophrenia achieved below-average results. Cross-correlations among SCORS's dimensions and factor analysis results which revealed a three component structure of SCORS in patients with schizophrenia are also discussed. Keywords: Schizophrenia, social cognition, object relations, SCORS, Thematic Apperception Test, correlation analysis, factor analysis.

Disruption of cognitive abilities such as learning, memory and spatial navigation accompanies a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Cognitive symptoms are also most difficult to target by available pharmacotherapy.. Behavioral and molecular evidence point to a disruption of NMDA receptors and glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Impaired cognitive coordination has been proposed as a core cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Non- competitive NMDAR antagonists are used to model schizophrenia- related symptoms in humans and in experimental animals. Place avoidance on a rotating arena is used to model cognitive functions disrupted in an animal model of schizophrenia. The goal of this thesis is to show whether the deficit in place avoidance is due to disrupted cognitive coordination or another effect of NMDAR antagonism such as hyperlocomotion, general learning deficit, or altered sensitivity.

The thesis addresses Semantic Verbal Fluency test and its potential as a diagnostics of cognitive deficit at schizophrenic population. Deficit of cognitive functions, presently considered as a core symptom of this disorder, substantially impacts daily life functioning. In particular, discriminant validity of Semantic Verbal Fluency test is examined in a mentally and neurologically healthy population as well as patients diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 18 to 40 years (N=339). Furthermore, results of profound analysis using a qualitative scoring system in a selected sample group (N=47) are presented. Moreover, the study investigates the association of selected demographic variables (gender, age, years of education) with results of Semantic Verbal Fluency test. Results of our statistical analysis reveal that patients diagnosed with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than healthy controls in all examined variables (total word count, total number of semantic clusters, total number of switches, mean cluster size, percent words in clusters, ratio of cluster switches) as compared with mentally and neurologically healthy subjects. Comparable results of the two research groups were attained solely in "number of hard switches" variable. Our results further indicate a significant association between...

This diploma thesis is focused on employment of people with schizophrenia. The main objectives were set up as follows: what are the job opportunities for people with schizophrenia and further explore the experience of people with schizophrenia with employment or unemployment. The diploma thesis consists of theoretical and research part. The theoretical part is divided into six subchapters which not only specify schizophrenia and the issues associated with this disease but are also focused more closely on the employment of schizophrenic people and the history and current status of individuals with schizophrenia and also the Fokus organization. In the empirical part are analysed and processed research results. The qualitative research undertaken for the purpose of this thesis was realized in two phases. In the first phase there was a pre-research and then the research itself. For achievement of the necessary data and information, a qualitative analysis was chosen, which was carried out by the method of questioning using the technique of narrative interview. All interviews were recorded with permission of the communication partners and then rewritten. The obtained data were analyzed in Atlas.ti using open coding. The research sample of communication partners was obtained using snowball sampling. The sample consisted of six clients diagnosed with schizophrenia from the non-profit organization Fokus Tábor. Also, two social workers from the Fokus Tábor organization were questioned for gaining more detailed information. The qualitative research brought finding that employment opportunities are varied depending on individual needs, abilities and health of individuals. Furthermore, it was found that work is positively perceived by persons with schizophrenia, as work helps them primarily in their mental and physical condition. Last but not least, the experience of communication partners with employment or unemployment was examined. These experience according to the information obtained are positive mainly because of the helpfulness of employers. This diploma thesis can be a source of information for both general and professional public. The obtained results can further serve as a feedback to the employees of Fokus Tábor organization and it is also possible to use the work as a potential basis for further investigation.

The work deals with the lives of people with mental illness - schizophrenia and opportunities that contribute to improving or maintaining their current health status. The theoretical part includes the characteristics of psychotic illness, legal protection of patients, possible treatment and aftercare. The practical part describes and compares three selected services or facilities. This is the Horizon Zlín, therapeutic workshops Kotva Strážnice and day service center Uherské Hradiště - Jarošov. It also includes assessment of the importance of individual therapeutic activities with clients focusing on the reduction of recurrent symptoms of schizophrenia and pointing out the importance of aftercare services and improving the facilities that this follow-up care for people with schizophrenic disorders are provided. A major benefit would be the establishment of other centers, care centers and therapeutic workshops offering services already mentioned, which would benefit not only for patients, their families, but also for the general public.