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Serum creatine phosphokinase in schizophrenia.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|February 1, 1976
Summary
Elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels are common in patients with schizophrenia and affective psychoses, suggesting a potential link to neuromuscular dysfunction in these serious mental illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Increased serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity is observed in a significant portion of patients with acute schizophrenia and affective psychoses.
- While non-specific factors like stress can elevate CPK, some increases may indicate underlying biological mechanisms.
- Elevated CPK levels correlate with more severe psychopathology and persist even in non-acute phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and psychotic disorders.
- To explore the potential of CPK as a biomarker for schizophrenia and affective psychoses.
- To examine CPK levels in relatives of psychotic patients, suggesting a potential genetic component.
Main Methods:
- Clinical observation and measurement of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity in hospitalized patients with acute schizophrenia and affective psychoses.
- Comparison of CPK levels between patients with and without elevated activity, considering psychopathology severity and disease phase.
- Assessment of CPK levels in first-degree relatives of psychotic patients.
Main Results:
- The majority of acutely disturbed schizophrenic and affective psychosis patients exhibit elevated serum CPK activity.
- Patients with increased CPK show more florid psychopathology and higher baseline levels compared to those without.
- First-degree relatives of psychotic patients with elevated CPK display high-normal or slightly increased CPK levels.
- Evidence suggests co-occurring neuromuscular dysfunction in psychotic patients.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum CPK is a notable finding in schizophrenia and affective psychoses, potentially linked to underlying pathophysiology.
- CPK investigation may offer significant heuristic value for understanding the biological underpinnings of these disorders.
- The findings suggest a possible role for CPK and neuromuscular function in the etiology or manifestation of psychosis.