Blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier impairment as indicator for an immune process in schizophrenia.
An impairment of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) has repeatedly been described in schizophrenic patients. A BCB impairment can be due to vascular leakage during an inflammatory process, or to neuroleptic treatment. The soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) has been demonstrated to be a reliable marker for an inflammatory process causing an BCB impairment. To clarify the basis of a BCB impairment in schizophrenic patients, we measured the sICAM-1 levels in CSF of 40 schizophrenic patients. High concentrations of sICAM-1 were found to be related to high concentrations of albumin, IgG and total protein in CSF. A BCB impairment was associated with high levels of sICAM-1. Our data indicate an inflammatory mechanism of BCB impairment in schizophrenics and should enrich the discussion on an expanded immunological diagnosis in schizophrenia.
Schwarz
M J
MJ
Department of Neurochemistry, University of Munich, Germany. mschwarz@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
Ackenheil
M
M
Riedel
M
M
Müller
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007249:Inflammation / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012995:Solubility
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012709:Serum Albumin; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1