title: Autoimmunity and schizophrenia: an epiphenomenon or an etiology?
abstract: During the last 20 years considerable data have accumulated indicating that schizophrenia may have an autoimmune immunology. Patients with schizophrenia may have autoantibodies; in addition, cellular changes may occur that are compatible with autoimmunity, e.g., an increased number of CD5+ cells. If, indeed, schizophrenia does have an autoimmune pathogenesis, we should consider an alternative therapy based on immune system-manipulating drugs in addition to antipsychotic compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amital
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies