Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Blood Alterations in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is an extracellular protease involved in glutamatergic signaling.
• MMP-9 dysregulation is hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze studies on MMP-9 blood levels in individuals with SSD.
• To compare MMP-9 levels in SSD patients versus healthy controls (HCs) and psychiatric controls (PCs).

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of PubMed/Embase databases up to July 15, 2020.
• Random-effects meta-analysis of 11 studies (n=1443) comparing MMP-9 levels.
• Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed, including first-episode patients (FEP).

Main Results:

• MMP-9 blood levels were significantly higher in SSD patients compared to HCs (SMD = 0.52).
• MMP-9 levels did not differ significantly between PCs and HCs.
• Elevated MMP-9 in SSD correlated with higher PANSS total, positive, and general scores.

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate an upregulation of MMP-9 in individuals with SSD.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings and elucidate the role of MMP-9 pathways in SSD.