Positive and Negative Syndromes in Schizophrenia

In this volume, the director of a schizophrenia research programme presents a new concept of schizophrenia. Dr Kay proposes that this heterogeneous disorder can be understood by recognizing two distinct clusters of syndromes - the "positive" (eg delusions) and the "negative" (eg blunted affect). The author explains how the distinction between positive and negative syndromes provides a basis for more effective treatment strategies that are better tailored to the individual patient. The first section of the book examines the diverse manifestations of schizophrenia, discusses the problem of nonresponse to medication and introduces the positive-negative concept as a means of gaining fresh insight into this clinical puzzle. The second section describes the development and standardization of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The author then outlines new directions for assessing the spectrum of psychopathology in schizophrenia and explores the significance of positive and negative symptoms. The concluding section introduces a four-factor "pyramidical" model of schizophrenic dimensions and proposes a novel interpretation of the negative syndrome as a neurological disorder related to Parkinsonism.