A state-of-the-art title, this handbook describes the most up-to-date knowledge of our understanding of cognition in schizophrenia. Cognition is one of the most critical, if not the most critical aspect of the schizophrenic illness. For the first time, the authors assess the importance of cognition as an independent symptom domain, including also an analysis of the costs of impairment. They focus on all the essential features of cognition in schizophrenia and discuss the clinical implications of these deficits in the everyday life of patients. The most recent data on the beneficial effects of the newest medications that enhance cognition without influencing the psychotic symptoms of the illness is included as is a unique review of cognition and ageing. Authoritative and timely, the book provides a concise and easy-to-follow but sophisticated analyses of cognitive deficits, their implications and the newly developing treatment strategies.