Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the cerebrospinal fluid in schizophrenia

Increased levels of lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) are reported in plasma/serum from patients with schizophrenia. CSF TBARS levels were assessed in 10 neuroleptic-free patients with schizophrenia and in 9 normal controls. Controlling for duration of storage, CSF TBARS content was significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia vs. controls (p<0.002). No significant correlations were found between CSF TBARS and patients' age, gender, or duration of illness. The likely source of reported elevated plasma/serum TBARS in schizophrenia is therefore in the periphery. Degeneration of central neuronal membranes in schizophrenia is not supported by the present study.