Potential plasma biomarker panels identification for the diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia and monitoring antipsychotic monotherapy with the use of metabolomics analyses

•Fourteen differential metabolites showed correlations with the PANSS scores of schizophrenia patients.•A biomarker panel composed of lipid, sulfate, and L-tryptophan can distinguish schizophrenia from healthy control.•A biomarker panel including lipid, unsaturated fatty acid, and sulfate could be used for discrimination between schizophrenia before and after medication.•Disturbances in lipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant systems were identified in schizophrenia patients.•Our findings facilitate the development of objective diagnostic tools for schizophrenia.