Effect of risperidone on emotion recognition deficits in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia: a short-term follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Facial emotion recognition deficits [FERD] have been consistently demonstrated in treated schizophrenia patients. FERD in treatment-naïve patients and the effect of antipsychotics are yet to be explored.


OBJECTIVE
To examine for FERD in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and the effect of short-term atypical antipsychotic treatment on FERD.


METHODS
Twenty-five antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia [DSM-IV] patients and 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy control subjects were assessed for FERD using the Tool for Recognition of Emotions in Neuropsychiatric DisorderS [TRENDS] - a culturally sensitive and valid tool. Psychopathology was assessed using SAPS and SANS. Performance of patients on TRENDS and psychopathology was re-assessed after short-term exposure to risperidone.


RESULTS
At baseline, the patients made significantly greater errors in recognition of negative emotions of fear and disgust which improved on follow-up. This improvement was influenced by severity of baseline negative symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Risperidone treatment can improve disgust recognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia.
Behere
Rishikesh V
RV
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
Venkatasubramanian
Ganesan
G
Arasappa
Rashmi
R
Reddy
Nalini
N
Gangadhar
Bangalore N
BN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018967:Risperidone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone