Social cognition is severely impaired in schizophrenia, leading to challenges in relationships and employment. Despite its critical role, understanding the neurobiology remains elusive, hindering effective interventions. Recent research prioritizes social cognition in schizophrenia treatment, with rodent models providing valuable insights into its neural substrates.

Schizophrenia emphasizes cognitive dysfunction’s importance for long-term outcomes, despite antipsychotic management of positive symptoms. Social cognition, crucial for successful interactions, is increasingly acknowledged as central to treatment. However, inconsistent definitions and complex biological bases necessitate comprehensive research for innovative interventions. Translatable rodent models offer promise in uncovering the molecular basis of social cognitive impairments, potentially guiding targeted interventions to mitigate schizophrenia-related deficits.

Reference: Kimoto S, Makinodan M, Kishimoto T. Neurobiology and treatment of social cognition in schizophrenia: Bridging the bed-bench gap. Neurobiol Dis. 2019 Nov;131:104315. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.10.022. Epub 2018 Nov 2. PMID: 30391541.