Current topics in the evaluation and treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Abstract EN

Negative symptoms have been considered the core features of schizophrenia, however they still represent a neglected area of research and their treatment represents a largely unmet need.

this editorial summarizes some of the current major milestones in the development of the concept of negative symptoms in schizophrenia and the current challenges and questions in their evaluation and treatment.

the concept of negative symptoms has been redefined in the last 15 years as five symptom domains and as having a 5-factor structure.

based on the revised concept, new second generation negative symptom rating scales have been developed, including the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS).

negative symptoms have been recognized as treatment targets by the European medicines agency and by the us food and drug administration.

further research is needed to answer important clinical questions e.g., the relationship of primary and persistent negative symptoms, the importance of individual negative symptoms in the long-term course and outcome of schizophrenia and the response of individual negative symptoms to treatment.

cultural differences may be important in the definition and evaluation of negative symptoms.

there are only a few effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions available for their treatment.

current treatment research is focusing on non-dopaminergic compounds.