Blood-CSF barrier permeability and central nervous system immunoglobulin G in schizophrenia.
The ratio of albumin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to serum may serve as an index of the integrity of the blood-CSF barrier, with increases in this ratio indicating increased permeability. The ratio of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in CSF to serum (divided by the albumin ratio to correct for variance in blood-CSF permeability) represents an index of the endogenous production of IgG in the central nervous system (CNS), with increases reflecting a possible infectious and/or autoimmune process stimulating central IgG synthesis. We analyzed simultaneously collected CSF and serum samples from 46 schizophrenic subjects, 8 of whom were studied both on and off neuroleptic treatment, and samples from 20 normal controls. The data indicated increases in CSF/serum albumin ratios or CSF/serum IgG indices in 22% and 20%, respectively, of the schizophrenic patients. Only 3 patients showed elevations in both indices. Comparison of values on and off neuroleptics indicated no significant effect of neuroleptics on these indices.
Kirch
D G
DG
Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland.
Alexander
R C
RC
Suddath
R L
RL
Papadopoulos
N M
NM
Kaufmann
C A
CA
Daniel
D G
DG
Wyatt
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000418:Albumins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents