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Immunological Processes in Schizophrenia Pathology: Potential Biomarkers?
Tina Notter1,2
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland. tina.notter@uzh.ch.
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
|April 8, 2018
Summary
Schizophrenia pathophysiology involves immune system changes. Identifying immune biomarkers could personalize treatments for this complex psychiatric disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Psychiatric Research
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Schizophrenia pathophysiology is increasingly linked to immune system alterations.
- Immunopsychiatric research seeks biomarkers for risk estimation and clinical course prediction.
- Candidate immune biomarkers offer potential for understanding schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize immune dysfunctions across the schizophrenia clinical course.
- To discuss the value of immune markers as predictive, trait, or state biomarkers.
- To explore the potential for personalized, immune-based interventions in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Review of immunological findings in schizophrenia.
- Analysis of epidemiological and genetic data supporting immune links.
- Discussion of biomarker potential and clinical relevance.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports immune dysfunctions in schizophrenia, both peripheral and central.
- Immune biomarkers show promise for predicting schizophrenia risk and outcomes.
- Schizophrenia exhibits significant heterogeneity in immune dysfunctions.
Conclusions:
- Identifying immune-based biomarkers for schizophrenia is increasingly feasible.
- Heterogeneity in immune dysfunction may allow for patient subgroup stratification.
- Stratification could enable personalized therapies and preventive strategies using immunomodulating drugs.
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