Olfactory identification and olfactory acuity were measured in 41
schizophrenic patients receiving neuroleptic medication and in 43 normal
control subjects. The performance of the male schizophrenic patients was
significantly lower than that of the female patients and the male and
female normal control subjects. The last three subgroups performed at
equivalent levels. These findings are discussed with respect to other
reported sex differences in schizophrenia, including frequency of specific
neurological signs and structural brain abnormalities, response to
neuroleptic medication, and long-term outcome. The findings suggest that
the sex of the patient may be a critical variable in understanding the
processes of schizophrenia.
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