Correlation Between Clinical Deterioration in Schizophrenic Patients and Hair Cortisol Levels

The importance of stress as a possible deteriorating factor for schizophrenic patients is well documented. However, this notion is based on subjective experience and retrospective psychological analysis.

A novel method of measuring cortisol using hair has a proven correlation to subjective stress in non-clinical as well as psychiatric clinical populations.

This pilot study will attempt to assess the use of cortisol hair level, as a marker of stress, to predict clinical deterioration in schizophrenic patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-50
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, made by a senior psychiatrist.
• Signing an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Additional psychiatric diagnosis
• Boldness or hair shorter than 1cm
• Physiological disturbance in the HPA or the use of steroidal medication
• Neurological disease (past or present) or neurosurgery.
• Pregnancy
• Substantial chronic physical diseases/