BACKGROUND:

Facial emotion recognition deficits [FERD] have been consistently demonstrated in treated schizophrenia patients. FERD in treatment-naïve patients and the effect of antipsychotics are yet to be explored.

AIMS:

To examine for FERD in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and the effect of short-term atypical antipsychotic treatment on FERD.

METHODS:

Twenty-five antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia [DSM-IV] patients and 30 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy control subjects were assessed for FERD using the Tool for Recognition of Emotions in Neuropsychiatric DisorderS [TRENDS] - a culturally sensitive and valid tool. Psychopathology was assessed using SAPS and SANS. Performance of patients on TRENDS and psychopathology was re-assessed after short-term exposure to risperidone.

RESULTS:

At baseline, the patients made significantly greater errors in recognition of negative emotions of fear and disgust which improved on follow-up. This improvement was influenced by severity of baseline negative symptoms.

CONCLUSION:

Risperidone treatment can improve disgust recognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia.