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Objective To elucidate the possible role of arginine and histidine in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by exploring the serum levels of semi-essential amino acids (arginine and histidine) in patients with schizophrenia and their correlation with psychiatric symptoms. Methods We selected 72 inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from March 2021 to October 2022 and 72 healthy volunteers enrolled in Yanta Community during the same period as the research subjects. Serum arginine and histidine levels were measured in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls using serum liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We used the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS)to evaluate the mental symptoms of patients with schizophrenia and analyzed the correlation of serum arginine and histidine levels with disease course, frequency of onset, and PANSS score. Results The levels of serum arginine (P<0.001)and histidine (P=0.011) in the schizophrenia group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of serum arginine and histidine were significantly negatively correlated with the frequency of onset (rs=-0.410, rs=-0.262), total score of PANSS (rs=-0.298, rs=-0.256), positive factors (rs=-0.299, rs=-0.234) and cognitive impairment factors (rs=-0.251, rs=-0.296). In addition, serum arginine levels had significantly negative correlation with anxiety and depression factors (rs=-0.269, P<0.05). Conclusion The serum levels of arginine and histidine in patients with schizophrenia are significantly lower than those in healthy individuals, and are negatively correlated with overall mental symptoms, severity of positive symptoms and cognitive impairment. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms is negatively correlated with arginine levels. The detection of serum arginine and histidine can provide reference for the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of schizophrenia in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effect of childhood maltreatment on clinical symptoms and early efficacy of antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Totally 73 schizophrenic patients were divided into mild maltreatment group(n=42) and severe maltreatment group(n=31) according to the Child Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ). The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale(PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression(CGI) were measured and compared between the two groups at baseline and 3 weeks after antipsychotic treatment to analyze the correlation between child maltreatment experience and mental symptoms and the response to early treatment of antipsychotics. Results PANSS positive factor score(P=0.026) and cognitive deficit factor score (P=0.042) were significantly higher in severe abuse group than in mild abuse group. The positive factor was significantly positively correlated with emotional abuse factor in CTQ score(r=0.257, P=0.028), and the cognitive deficit factor was significantly positively correlated with emotional neglect factor(r=0.283, P=0.015). After antipsychotic treatment, the reduction rate of PANSS negative factor in severe abuse group was significantly lower than that in mild abuse group(P=0.035), and had the highest correlation with CTQ physical abuse factor(r=-0.302, P=0.011). Conclusion The severity of childhood maltreatment experienced by schizophrenic patients is more related to positive symptoms and cognitive deficits, and more childhood maltreatment experience will affect the improvement of negative symptoms by antipsychotics, suggesting a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the relationship between the 5 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) factors of a recent consensus model and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Totally 130 inpatients and 85 healthy controls matched for age, gender and education were recruited. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to evaluate cognitive function. PANSS was used to evaluate symptoms. Results Compared with those of the controls, scores of TMT, BACS, Fluency, WMS, HVLT-R, BVMT-R, NBA and MSCEIT tests in MCCB were lower in the patients (all P <0.001). The PANSS cognitive factor showed a small to moderate significant association with MCCB speed of processing, verbal learning, reasoning and problem solving and social cognition (all P<0.050). Notably, however, no relationship was found between the other PANSS factors and any of the MCCB scores. Conclusion There are a wide range of cognitive function impairments in patients with schizophrenia. These results support the relative independence of cognition from other domains of psychopathology, including negative symptoms, in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, we need to make different kinds of plans when treating patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]