Journal of International Psychiatry

[Abstract] Objective: To study the relationship between the changes of serum homocysteine (Hcy) level and clinical symptoms in first-episode untreated schizophrenia, and further explore the role of Hcy in the development of schizophrenia, so as to provide reference for clinical intervention. Methods: 120 first-episode non medication schizophrenic patients in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2020 were selected as the research subjects (Study Group), and another 120 normal subjects were selected as the control group (conventional group). PANSS (negative and positive symptom scale) was used to evaluate the symptoms of schizophrenic patients. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to measure and compare the Hcy levels of all the subjects. The relationship between Hcy and the course of disease, age, PANSS scale score and BMI index was further explored. Results: Hcy in study group was higher than that in routine group (P < 0.05); Hcy was positively correlated with negative symptoms and PANSS total score (P < 0.05). Conclusion: severe psychopathological symptoms may be the main reason for the high level of Hcy in first-episode untreated schizophrenia.