World J Psychiatr. Dec 22, 2015; 5(4): 352-361 Published online Dec 22, 2015. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v5.i4.352
Conceptualization and treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Sonali Sarkar, Kiley Hillner, Dawn I Velligan
Sonali Sarkar, Kiley Hillner, Dawn I Velligan, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
Author contributions: Sarkar S, Hillner K, and Velligan DI conceived the issues which formed the content of the manuscript and wrote the manuscript.
Supported by The Patient-Centered Outcomes Institute (2012- 2015).
Conflict-of-interest statement: Dawn I Velligan has received fees for serving as consultant and/or advisory board member for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, Abbvie, Forum Pharmaceuticals, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals and as a speaker for Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Sonali Sarkar and Kiley Hillner have no conflicts of interest.
Correspondence to: Dawn I Velligan, PhD, Department of Psychiatry University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Mail Stop 7797, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States. velligand@uthscsa.edu
Telephone: +1-210-5675508 Fax: +1-210-5671291
Received: May 26, 2015 Peer-review started: May 28, 2015 First decision: June 18, 2015 Revised: July 7, 2015 Accepted: October 12, 2015 Article in press: October 13, 2015 Published online: December 22, 2015 Processing time: 206 Days and 11.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia including social withdrawal, diminished affective response, lack of interest, poor social drive, and decreased sense of purpose or goal directed activity predict poor functional outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms and the resulting loss in productivity are responsible for much of the world-wide personal and economic burden of schizophrenia. We describe current theories of negative symptom development and maintenance and address the data regarding current and emerging treatments. Negative symptoms represent an unmet therapeutic need for large numbers of patients. Academia, clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry, research funders, payers and regulators will need to work together to pursue novel treatments to address this public health issue.
