Elevated circulating levels of IL-6 in schizophrenia
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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
Published on: March 1, 2011
J Naudin1, J L Mège, J M Azorin
1Service du Pr Azorin, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Schizophrenia may result from immune or inflammatory disorders, which are mediated by cytokines. Data in this field are heterogeneous and often contradictory. We investigated circulating levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, two distinct proinflammatory cytokines. Using immunoassay, we assessed IL-6 and TNF-alpha in serum from chronic schizophrenic patients (n = 30) and normal controls (n = 15). Circulating levels of IL-6 were higher in patients than in controls; those of TNF-alpha were not significantly higher than in controls. In addition, IL-6 levels were higher in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia than in patients with remissions. Our results suggest that immunologic abnormalities in schizophrenia may be related to a specific inflammatory process mediated by IL-6. An interesting line of research would be the evaluation of IL-6 cerebral production in CSF.
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