Impact of Inflammation on Reward Circuits, Motivational Deficits and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Inclusion Criteria

• Willing and able to give written informed consent
• A primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5), or schizoaffective disorder as diagnosed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 7.0
• Mini Mental Status Examination Score ≥24
• Brief Negative Symptom Scale Score ≥25
• No psychotropic medication changes for one month prior to study enrollment; may be taking other psychotropic non-antipsychotic medications (i.e., antidepressants, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines)

Exclusion Criteria

• Evidence of untreated or poorly controlled endocrine, thyroid, cardiovascular, hematological, renal, neurological disease, hepatitis B or C or HIV
• Current HbA1C ≥ 8.5%
• Prior treatment with antiviral or immunomodulatory drugs, including corticosteroids within six months of study entry
• Current treatment with antibiotics
• Primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
• Active abuse of alcohol or illicit/prescription drugs within the past 6 months including a urine toxicology screen positive for drugs of abuse (patients may still be included with a positive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) result at the discretion of the PI)
• Predominant left-handedness excluded for portions of the MRI scan
• Wide Range Achievement Test-3 Reading Scale (WRAT-3) score indicating less than 8th grade reading level, unless otherwise approved by the PI or PI's designee
• Any other condition which in the opinion of the investigator would make the patient unsuitable for enrollment, or could interfere with participating in or completing the protocol
• History of central nervous system trauma or active seizure disorder requiring medication
• Positive pregnancy test
• Presence of metal in the body (excludes from MRI scan only)
• Active suicidal ideation as determined by the PI and/or study staff
• Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus