Cytokine Alterations in Schizophrenia: An Updated Review
Sara Momtazmanesh1,2, Ameneh Zare-Shahabadi2,3, Nima Rezaei4,5,6
1School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|January 8, 2020
Summary
Cytokine levels are altered in schizophrenia, potentially playing a causative role. These immune markers correlate with symptom severity and may offer targets for diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with suspected immune system involvement.
- Abnormalities in circulating cytokines have been observed in patients with schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review changes in cytokine levels in schizophrenia patients.
- To explore the link between cytokine alterations, symptom severity, and clinical implications.
- To assess the potential role of cytokines in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of existing studies on cytokine levels in schizophrenia.
- Categorization of cytokines based on observed changes (increased, non-altered, variable).
- Correlation analysis between cytokine levels and clinical/symptomatic factors.
Main Results:
- Specific cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were consistently increased.
- Other cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, and IL-17 showed no significant alterations.
- Cytokine levels varied across different patient subgroups and correlated with disease duration, symptom severity, aggression, and cognition.
Conclusions:
- Altered cytokine profiles are implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
- Cytokine levels offer potential for early diagnosis, patient stratification, and predicting treatment response.
- Further research is needed to investigate pre-disease cytokine levels and therapeutic strategies.
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