The researchers from the Institute of Physiology CAS and the National Institute of Health investigated to what extent is the life of first psychotic episode schizophrenia patients influenced by the cognitive visuo-spatial and verbal deficits. While the verbal difficulties present mainly in speech and communication, the visuo-spatial deficits are less noticeable. They influence however many everyday activities, like watching TV, spatial orientation and also correct interpretation of non-verbal communication using gestures and mimics. In spite of it but according to the new research, the life quality and global independent functioning at the start of psychotic disease is influenced more by the verbal than visuo-spatial difficulties. In the follow-up investigations the researchers ask, whether the used measures of life quality and functioning are sensitive enough to monitor the less noticeable but still limiting deficits in visuo-spatial abilities.