Decoding emotion of the other differs among schizophrenia patients and schizoaffective patients: A pilot study.

The deficit in ability to attribute mental states such as thoughts, beliefs, and intentions of another person is a key component in the functional impairment of social cognition in schizophrenia. In the current study, we compared the ability of persons with first episode schizophrenia (FE-SZ) and individuals with schizophrenia displaying symptomatic remission (SZ-CR) to decode the mental state of others with healthy individuals and schizoaffective patients. In addition, we analyzed the effect of dopamine-related genes polymorphism on the ability to decode the mental state of another, and searched for different genetic signatures.

Effect of neuroleptic administration on serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor-alpha and IL-1 receptor antagonist in schizophrenic patients.

Activation of the inflammatory response system has been reported in schizophrenia. Levels of serum IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R(alpha)) were studied in 32 schizophrenic and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects before and after an 8-week treatment protocol. Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).