The role of plasma oxytocin in early-onset schizophrenia: implications for disease severity and early intervention.

Cross-sectional study comparing patients with early-onset schizophrenia to healthy controls

“This study investigated associations between plasma OXT levels, disease severity, personality traits, and childhood trauma in EOS.”

118 patients with early-onset schizophrenia and 76 healthy controls

“Participants were 118 patients with EOS and 76 healthy controls (HC).”

194 total participants

“Participants were 118 patients with EOS and 76 healthy controls (HC).”

Plasma oxytocin levels were significantly lower in early-onset schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls

“EOS patients had significantly lower plasma OXT levels than HC (P < 0.001).”

Sex, extraversion, oxytocin levels, and emotional abuse predicted early-onset schizophrenia

“Sex, extraversion, OXT levels, and emotional abuse predicted EOS, explaining 55.4% of the variance.”

Oxytocin levels positively correlated with symptom severity in patients with milder symptoms but not in severe cases

“In patients with milder symptoms (PANSS < 65), OXT levels positively correlated with symptom severity (r = 0.482, P = 0.020); no correlation was found in severe cases.”

Single geographic recruitment area, lack of medication initiation time data, and sex imbalance between groups

“First, all participants were recruited from a single geographic area, which may limit the generalizability of the findings; future research should aim to increase sample size and conduct cross-cultural studies to address this issue.”