Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia: A review and an exploration of the aetiological importance of decreased serotoninergic function

Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with schizophrenia. In this book the literature regarding the aetiology of such symptoms is reviewed and it is postulated that they may sometimes result from decreased serotoninergic function. Three studies were carried out to test this hypothesis. In the first patients with chronic schizophrenia were assessed for the presence of depressive symptoms. In the second patients with chronic schizophrenia and depressive symptoms were entered into a randomised controlled trial of sertraline, a SSRI antidepressant. In a third study patients with stable chronic schizophrenia were tryptophan- depleted in a double-blind experiment. The findings suggest that decreased serotoninergic function is an important aetiological factor in the production of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and consequently that SSRI antidepressants may be a useful adjunctive treatment for individuals with schizophrenia and depressive symptoms. This book will be useful both for schizophrenia researchers and for health professionals seeking to deal with this difficult clinical problem.