Investigating potential associations between neurocognition/social cognition and oxidative stress in schizophrenia

Breno Fiuza Cruz, Salvina Maria de Campos-Carli, Amanda Margarida de Oliveira, Camila Bernardo de Brito, Zélia Menezes Garcia, Raquel Nascimento Duque do Arifa, Daniele da Glória de Souza, Antonio Lucio Teixeira, João Vinícius Salgado

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Deficits in neurocognition and social cognition play a critical role in the functional impairment of patients with schizophrenia. Increased oxidative stress has been evidenced in schizophrenia. Increased oxidative stress can affect neuronal function and lead to impairments in neurocognitive functions (especially working memory) and social cognition. Objective: To investigate deficits in neurocognition and social cognition and their potential association with oxidative stress biomarkers in schizophrenia. Material and methods: Eight-five clinically stable patients with schizophrenia and 75 controls were enrolled in this study. Neurocognition was evaluated through the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Social cognition was assessed through the Hinting Task – a test of theory of mind – and an emotion processing test, Facial Emotion Recognition Test (FERT-100). Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring serum levels of glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Results: Patients had decreased serum levels of GSH (Z=3.56; p<0.001) and increased TBARS (Z=5.51; P<0.001) when compared with controls. TBARS levels are higher in patients using first generation antipsychotics. Higher serum levels of TBARS in patients were associated with poor performance in working memory test (r=-0.39; p=0.002), even when controlling for age and negative symptoms (Standard Beta: -0.36; CI= -2.52 a -13.71). Discussion: The association between greater lipid peroxidation, as assessed by TBARS, and worse performance in working memory corroborates theoretical models of greater vulnerability of schizophrenia to oxidative stress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number113832
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume298
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Neurocognition
  • Oxidative stress
  • Schizophrenia
  • Social cognition
  • Working memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Investigating potential associations between neurocognition/social cognition and oxidative stress in schizophrenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this