Detection of autoantibodies against GABA_ARα1 in patients with schizophrenia

Recent studies have identified autoantibodies against synaptic molecules in patients with encephalitis. Autoantibodies against the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate receptor have been reported in patients with schizophrenia; however, autoantibodies against other molecules are yet to be identified. This study used a cell-based assay to examine serum samples from individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. The results showed that 5 (8.6%) of 57 patients with schizophrenia harbor autoantibodies against the α1 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABA_ARα1), which are currently not know to be linked to the pathology of this disease. Some patients showed markedly high antibody titers (i.e., 1:10,000-100,000). None of the heathy control subjects were positive for GABA_ARα1 antibodies. Therefore, these autoantibodies may form the basis of GABA-mediated pathology in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia.