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Neuroleptic-associated autoantibodies. A prevalence study
R T Canoso1, R M de Oliveira, R A Nixon
1Hematology-Oncology Section, Brockton/West Roxbury Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MA 02401.
Biological Psychiatry
|April 15, 1990
Summary
Neuroleptic medications significantly increase the prevalence of autoantibodies like ANA and APA in male psychiatric patients. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was also elevated, suggesting potential links to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic psychiatric patients often receive long-term neuroleptic therapy.
- Autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), and rheumatoid factor (RF) are markers of immune system dysregulation.
- Elevated immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels can indicate an ongoing immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of specific autoantibodies and IgM levels in male chronic psychiatric patients undergoing long-term neuroleptic treatment.
- To compare autoantibody and IgM levels between neuroleptic-treated patients and age-matched healthy male controls.
- To explore potential correlations between different autoantibodies and specific neuroleptic drug classes.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 184 male chronic psychiatric patients on long-term neuroleptic therapy and 35 age-matched male controls.
- Levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and immunoglobulin (Ig) M were measured.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare prevalence and identify correlations.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher prevalence (70%) of one or more autoantibodies was observed in neuroleptic-treated patients compared to controls (9%).
- Polyclonal IgM elevation was frequently detected in patients treated with phenothiazines.
- Significant correlations were found between ANA, APA, and RF. ANA and APA were more common with chlorpromazine (CPZ) therapy, while RF prevalence was high across all treatment groups.
Conclusions:
- Long-term neuroleptic treatment is associated with a high prevalence of autoantibodies in male psychiatric patients.
- Antibodies against the Fc fragment of IgG may be the most common autoantibodies linked to neuroleptic use.
- The elevated presence of RF could be a common characteristic of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, irrespective of neuroleptic treatment.
