Nociceptive Reflex in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study

Background: Diminished pain sensitivity has been reported in patients the acute phase of psychosis, as well stable patients. The cause hypoalgesia those is unknown. aim this study was to investigate sensory thresholds, modalities, or other factors contributing perception expression physical with schizophrenia (SCZ). Methods: This case-control conducted on 24 SCZ and 12 healthy controls. Patients were assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Positive Negative Symptom Scale Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale. All participants subjected full medical neurological examination nociceptive reflex. Results: There no significant difference between cases controls threshold, while it showed a at subjective threshold case group needed higher intensity current perceive painful. positive correlation age, duration number episodes Also, there negative symptoms cognitive impairment one arm arm. Conclusion: insensitivity not related physiological changes pathway, but rather may be change experience pain. Older longer disease, more frequent episodes, symptoms, impairment, antipsychotic medications, all are positively correlated increase threshold. J Neurol Res. 2021;11(1-2):20-26 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr656