Relationship of elevated neural cell adhesion molecule 1 with interleukin-10 and disease severity in bipolar disorder

Neural plasticity and inflammation are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of Bipolar disorder. The data related to markers of neural plasticity in bipolar disorder are limited. The objective of the study was to assess the levels of neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM 1) and interleukin-10 and their association with disease severity in bipolar disorder. 40 bipolar disorder I patients with acute manic symptoms and 40 age matched controls were enrolled in the study. Neural cell adhesion molecule 1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were assessed in both the groups. NCAM 1 and interleukin-10 levels were significantly increased in bipolar disorder when compared with controls. There was significant positive correlation of Young Mania Rating score with NCAM 1 (r = 0.538, p = < 0.001) in patients with BD. Multi variate analysis revealed that IL-10 (p = 0.021) was lower in controls by 0.012 ng/L and NCAM 1(p = 0.048) was lower in controls by 0.002 ng/L compared to BD cases and this difference was statistically significant. Based on the findings we conclude that neural cell adhesion molecule 1 is increased and associated with disease severity in bipolar disorder.