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To the Editor.—
During the past several years, a number of articles have appeared in the Archives and other journals describing various forms of cognitive deficit in psychiatric populations. Dr Walker's recent report, entitled "Attentional and Neuromotor Functions of Schizophrenics, Schizoaffectives, and Patients With Other Affective Disorders" (Archives 1981; 38:1355-1358) presents some interesting data regarding the cognitive change found in schizoaffective patients.One potential confounding factor in such analyses is the effect of psychoactive medication. In Dr Walker's study, approximately 75% of the patients studied were medicated. Within this group, the type of medication administered appears to have varied widely, with antipsychotic medications, antidepressants, and lithium carbonate being specifically