Introduction
neuroinflammation, cognitive decline, herpes, psychosis, Schizophrenia, schizophrenia
DISORDER, HERPES VIRUS INFECTION, HERPES
Schizophrenia is a disabling disorder that often has a chronic intermittent course (van Os & Kapur, One factor that is suggested to be relevant in schizophrenia is neuroinflammation (Najjar & Pearlman, While findings on neuroinflammation in schizophrenia are inconsistent (Marques et al., The association between herpes viruses and schizophrenia has led to the initiation of anti-viral treatment studies. Studies with medication that specifically disrupt DNA replication of herpes viruses did not reduce overall symptoms and cognition in schizophrenia (Bhatia et al., Based on the possible role in schizophrenia, we hypothesize that a herpes virus infection in the hippocampus contributes to the development of neuroinflammation, and consequently cognitive decline, in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to determine whether the antiviral drug valaciclovir can reduce hippocampal neuroinflammation, thereby moderating psychosis and improving cognitive performance.