Exposure to Epstein Barr virus and cognitive functioning in individuals with schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits are a central feature of schizophrenia whose etiology is not fully understood. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a potentially neurotropic infectious agent that can generate persistent infections with immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies have found an association between EBV antibodies and cognitive functioning in different populations, but there has been limited investigation in schizophrenia. In this study, 84 individuals with schizophrenia were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Participants also provided a blood sample, from which antibodies to the EBV whole virion and specific proteins were measured. Multivariate models were constructed to determine the association between these antibodies and cognitive performance on the MCCB overall and domain scores. Using these models, we found a significant association between the MCCB overall percent composite score and level of antibodies to the EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) protein, the Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) protein, and the EBV whole virion. A significant association was also found for the MCCB social cognition domain with the level of antibodies to the EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) protein, the Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) protein, and the EBV whole virion. In all cases, a higher level of antibodies was associated with a lower level cognitive performance. These findings suggest that exposure to EBV may contribute to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, a finding which may have implications for new methods of prevention and treatment.