Schizophrenia Network

“In the last years, the ECNP Schizophrenia Network has contributed to validate a state-of-the-art scale for the assessment of negative symptoms: the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) in the pan-European study, involving 12 Countries. A self-rated instrument was also tested in the same study. The Network has a high potential of developing a common roadmap about research on schizophrenia treatment, with a focus on unmet needs, based on the research commitment of the group. The Network actively seeks to receive new members applications. We wish to have new promising young members, particularly with expertise in preclinical and clinical research, and will invite other researchers, with a special attention to gender balance”

Mission statement/aims

With appropriate care and support, many people with schizophrenia may recover and live fulfilled lives in the community. In spite of this, recovery rates are still very low and people with schizophrenia live 15-20 years less than the general population, are often unemployed and show severe disabilities. A large number of variables contribute to this negative picture, including late intervention, poor adherence to treatment, primary and persistent negative symptoms, as well as cognitive impairment. The latter two domains are increasingly regarded as important unmet needs, predictors of poor functional outcome and key target variables for innovative pharmacological and non pharmacological treatments aimed at driving further change towards a more positive outlook for schizophrenia. The ECNP Schizophrenia Network aims at promoting research on both negative symptoms and cognitive impairment with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis, treatment and outcome of schizophrenia.