This research project will explore negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as motivational
deficits, by examining the relationship between inflammation and reward-related brain
regions. To accomplish this, we will administer a single infusion of either the
anti-inflammatory medication infliximab or placebo (n=10 per group) to patients with high
inflammation.
This study is important because schizophrenia can be a chronic and debilitating
neuropsychiatric disorder and negative symptoms are some of the most difficult aspects of
schizophrenia associated with worst functional outcomes. These symptoms do not typically
respond to antipsychotic therapies, and as such, there are no current medications to treat
negative symptoms.