JPBS

Objective: To explore relationships between cognitive ability and first-episode schizophrenia patient serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Methods: One hundred and twelve (112) first-episode schizophrenia patients (FESP) were selected for the schizophrenia group (SG) and 100 healthy volunteers were selected as the healthy control group (CG or HCG). High homocysteine septicemia (HHcy) and serum Hcy levels were compared between the two. SG Patient psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Hcy and Non-Hcy subjects cognitive abilities were assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive in Schizophrenia (MCCB). Results: SG serum Hcy levels were significantly higher than HG Hcy levels with a statistical significance (p < 0.01). HG serum Vitamin B12 (VB12) levels were significantly higher the SG with a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Folic acid levels of the two groups was different in a statistically significant (p > 0.05) way. The difference in the MCCB total score (89.22 ± 3.06) of HHcy SG subjects and non-HHcy SG subjects (96.11 ± 2.74) was a statistically significant (p < 0.05). WCST scores, categories completed (Cc) and correct responses (Rc) of HHcy subjects compared to non-HHcy patients were significantly lower and was statistically significant (p < 0.05). HHcy subjects error responses (Re), perseverative responses (Rp), and non-perseverative responses (nRp) were significantly higher than non-HHcy subjects and was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum Hcy elevation may be used as a laboratory assistant diagnostic index for cognitive dysfunction severity in first-episode schizophrenics.

First-episode; Schizophrenia; Homocysteine; Cognitive ability