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Serum interleukin-18 levels are elevated in schizophrenia.
K F Tanaka1, F Shintani, Y Fujii
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University, School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, 160-8582, Tokyo, Japan. tanaka@med.keio.ac.jp
Psychiatry Research
|September 12, 2000
Summary
Researchers found significantly elevated serum Interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels in individuals with schizophrenia. This suggests immune system activation may play a role in the complex pathophysiology of this mental health condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Cytokine research
- Psychiatric disorders
Background:
- Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine crucial for T helper 1 (Th1) immune responses.
- Dysregulated IL-18 production is implicated in various immunological disturbances.
- The exact causes of schizophrenia remain elusive, but inflammatory processes, including Th1 responses, are suspected contributors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum IL-18 levels in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- To determine if elevated IL-18 is associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 66 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- Age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included for comparison.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify IL-18 levels.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenic patients exhibited significantly higher serum IL-18 levels compared to control subjects (P=0.0002).
- This statistically significant difference indicates a potential link between IL-18 and schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that immune system activation is involved in the development or progression of schizophrenia.
- Elevated IL-18 may serve as a biomarker or a contributing factor in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.