Association between decreased serum TBIL concentration and immediate memory impairment in schizophrenia patients.

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia (SCH). In addition to the toxic effect of Bilirubin (BIL), it has antioxidant properties that were associated with the psychopathology and cognitive impairment of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of serum total BIL (TBIL) concentration with cognitive impairment in SCH patients. We recruited 34 SCH patients and 119 healthy controls (HCs) in this case-control design. Cognition was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Serum TBIL concentration was measured using the immunoturbidimetric method. Serum TBIL concentration was significantly decreased in SCH patients compared to HCs after adjusting for age, gender, and education. Serum TBIL concentration in SCH patients was also positively correlated with the RBANS immediate memory score. Further stepwise multiple regression analysis confirmed the positive association between serum TBIL concentration and immediate memory score in SCH patients. Our findings supported that the decline in serum TBIL concentration was associated with the immediate memory impairment and psychopathology of SCH.

Stereopsis deficits in patients with schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population.

Although cognitive and sensory deficits have been identified as a core feature of schizophrenia, only a small portion of visual sensorium has been explored. To date, studies on visual system of three-dimensional percepts based on two-dimensional information still are limited. This study is the first to examine the integrity of stereopsis of schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population, and to further investigate the correlation of stereopsis with clinical symptoms. 100 patients with schizophrenia and 80 healthy controls were recruited. We assessed stereoacuity using the Titmus Stereopsis Test and clinical symptoms using Chinese versions of the Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms (SAPS and SANS). There was a significant difference in log seconds of arc between two groups (p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with correct stereopsis detection was significantly reduced at 400, 200, 140, 100, 80, 60, 50, and 40 seconds of arc than healthy controls (all, p < 0.01). Log seconds of arc in patients was not correlated with total scores and subscores of SAPS and SANS (all, p > 0.05). Our findings support that patients with schizophrenia have a marked deficit of stereopsis in a Han Chinese population. However, clinical symptoms do not influence stereopsis of schizophrenia.