Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
Complement Activation Products in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia
Krzysztof Rudkowski1, Katarzyna Waszczuk1, Ernest Tyburski2
1Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Broniewskiego 26, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland.
Abstract:
Evidence suggests a role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of a number of mental conditions, including schizophrenia (SCH). In terms of physiology, aside from its crucial protective function, the complement cascade (CC) is a critical element of the regeneration processes, including neurogenesis. Few studies have attempted to define the function of the CC components in SCH. To shed more light on this topic, we compared the levels of complement activation products (CAP) (C3a, C5a and C5b-9) in the peripheral blood of 62 patients with chronic SCH and disease duration of ≥ 10 years with 25 healthy controls matched for age, sex, BMI and smoking status. Concentrations of all the investigated CAP were elevated in SCH patients. However, after controlling for potential confounding factors, significant correlations were observed between SCH and C3a (M = 724.98 ng/mL) and C5a (M = 6.06 ng/mL) levels. In addition, multivariate logistic regression showed that C3a and C5b-9 were significant predictors of SCH. There were no significant correlations between any CAP and SCH symptom severity or general psychopathology in SCH patients. However, two significant links emerged between C3a and C5b-9 and global functioning. Increased levels of both complement activation products in the patient group as compared to healthy controls raise questions concerning the role of the CC in the etiology of SCH and further demonstrate dysregulation of the immune system in SCH patients.
More Related Videos
07:26High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
Published on: July 18, 2017
10:05A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures
Published on: March 18, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Complement System
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...
Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...