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Obstetric complications and autoantibodies in schizophrenia
K N Chengappa1, V L Nimgaonkar, C Bachert
1Department of Psychiatry (Immunopsychiatry Program), Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593, USA.
Abstract:
Our hypothesis stated that patients with schizophrenia who had obstetric complications (OC) were more likely to have autoimmune abnormalities than those without OC. OC were rated using a checklist. Anti-brain autoantibodies were measured in serum using an enzyme immunoassay. Autoantibodies to non-CNS tissues were detected using serological procedures. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to anti-brain antibodies, but patients with OC (n = 24) had a significantly higher prevalence of autoantibodies to non-CNS tissues than patients without OC (n = 25). Both groups were receiving neuroleptic drugs. OC may contribute to autoimmune abnormalities among patients with schizophrenia.