Elevated plasma levels of S-100b protein in schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
In this study, we examined the possibility that structural damage to the brain may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.


METHODS
We compared plasma levels of S-100b protein in 20 patients with schizophrenic psychosis and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy blood donors. Concentrations of S-100 protein were determined by microtiter-based immunofluorometric assay detecting predominantly S-100b.


RESULTS
Mean concentrations of S-100b protein in blood were significantly (p < or = .001) higher in schizophrenic patients (0.165 +/- 0.138 microgram/L) compared to control subjects (0.054 +/- 0.031 microgram/L). Levels did not correlate with age of onset or duration of psychosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that patients with schizophrenia may suffer ongoing structural damage to cells of the central nervous system, and that the concentration of S-100b protein in plasma may help to identify clinical subgroups in schizophrenia.
Wiesmann
M
M
Department of Neuroradiology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
Wandinger
K P
KP
Missler
U
U
Eckhoff
D
D
Rothermundt
M
M
Arolt
V
V
Kirchner
H
H
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000097:blood*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins