Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of paliperidone extended-release combined with modified electric convulsive therapy(MECT) on cognitive function in patients with refractory schizophrenia. Methods 30 patients were reviewed with the Wisconsin Card SortingTest (WCST), the Trail Making Test A and B, Digit Span Test (DST), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Clinical MemoryScale (CMS). Results The time shortened after treatment in the Trail Making Test A and B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference beforeand after the treatment in the other tests. Conclusion Paliperidone combined with modified electric convulsive therapy may inmprovethe memory and attention in schizophrenics.

Key words: refractory schizophrenia, paliperidone, modified electric convulsive therapy, cognitive function