Background: Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were thought to be altered in schizophrenia, the association between autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and psychosis is not new. Hence this study was planned to confirm the association between CRP level and cognitive performance and to determine whether CRP was a new biological indicator with the potential clinical applications in Schizoprenia patients. Methods: This study was done as a Cross sectional study, in 60 cases of schizophrenia for period of one year done after obtaining ethical clearance, from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem. The neurocognitive assessment tools used in this study are: a). Attention – digit span. b) Verbal memory – Rey auditory verbal learning test. C) Visual memory – Rey Osterrieth complex figure test d) Verbal fluency – COWAT – controlled oral word association test. For executive functions – Stroop colour test, Trail Making Test, were used. Assesment of CRP done by Nephelometry. Results: There were significant differences in the cognitive subdomain analyses among the two groups based on CRP level. Serum CRP levels were found positively correlated with neurocognitive assessment tools. Conclusion: This study supports the Neuroinflammatory theory of schizophrenia as evidenced by the rise in serum C – reactive protein values in the course of illness and there exists a positive correlation between serum C – reactive protein level and Cognitive deficits. Serial measurements of serum C – reactive protein and cognitive deficits are to be assessed, to know their fate longitudinally, over the period of time.

Background: Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were thought to be altered in schizophrenia, the association between autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and psychosis is not new. Hence this study was planned to confirm the association between CRP level and cognitive performance and to determine whether CRP was a new biological indicator with the potential clinical applications in Schizoprenia patients. Methods: This study was done as a Cross sectional study, in 60 cases of schizophrenia for period of one year done after obtaining ethical clearance, from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem. The neurocognitive assessment tools used in this study are: a). Attention – digit span. b) Verbal memory – Rey auditory verbal learning test. C) Visual memory – Rey Osterrieth complex figure test d) Verbal fluency – COWAT – controlled oral word association test. For executive functions – Stroop colour test, Trail Making Test, were used. Assesment of CRP done by Nephelometry. Results: There were significant differences in the cognitive subdomain analyses among the two groups based on CRP level. Serum CRP levels were found positively correlated with neurocognitive assessment tools. Conclusion: This study supports the Neuroinflammatory theory of schizophrenia as evidenced by the rise in serum C – reactive protein values in the course of illness and there exists a positive correlation between serum C – reactive protein level and Cognitive deficits. Serial measurements of serum C – reactive protein and cognitive deficits are to be assessed, to know their fate longitudinally, over the period of time.