Sex differences in olfactory function in schizophrenia

Abstract

Olfactory identification and olfactory acuity were measured in 41 schizophrenic patients receiving neuroleptic medication and in 43 normal control subjects. The performance of the male schizophrenic patients was significantly lower than that of the female patients and the male and female normal control subjects. The last three subgroups performed at equivalent levels. These findings are discussed with respect to other reported sex differences in schizophrenia, including frequency of specific neurological signs and structural brain abnormalities, response to neuroleptic medication, and long-term outcome. The findings suggest that the sex of the patient may be a critical variable in understanding the processes of schizophrenia.