Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia consist of deficits in attention, concentration, fluency, and executive function. Especially the working memory deficits influence everyday function and rehabilitation.

The ame of the study was to investigate a potential of a neurocognitive intervention in schizophrenia (CS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) by application of a computerised working memory training.

So far, 30 ms patients and 14 cs patients were investigated. Patients are allocated to a treatment group or to a control design. At baseline, all participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological examination including memory, working memory, attention, concentration, information processing speed, mental flexibility and intelligence. The treatment group performed a computer program (Brainstim®) four times a week over a period of four weeks. After 16 training sessions all participants were evaluated again neuropsychologically.

In both patient groups a significant increase in cognitive performance within the training procedure could be shown. This increase was expressed by an initial exponential function with a steep increase and an asymptotic slope. Pre-post-test-comparisons revealed significant improvement for shortterm and working memory on the neuropsychological outcomes. The program was well accepted by the patients.

This preliminary results show, that working memory might be trained in schizophrenia and thus it might interfere positively the cognitive und rehabilitative outcome.