Increased S100B blood levels in unmedicated and treated schizophrenic patients are correlated with negative symptomatology.
S100B, a calcium-binding protein produced by astroglial cells, is a marker of astroglial cellular integrity. It has been shown to be increased in acute brain damage and neurodegeneration. A recent study showed increased S100B levels in medicated acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia. The study presented here included 26 drug-free patients with acute schizophrenia and 26 matched healthy controls. S100B blood concentrations were determined using a quantitative immunoassay upon admission and after 6 weeks of neuroleptic treatment. The PANSS was used to investigate psychopathology. Unmedicated schizophrenic patients showed significantly increased S100B levels compared to matched healthy controls. After 6 weeks of treatment, 11 patients showed normal S100B levels while in 15 patients the levels remained increased. These patients showed significantly higher PANSS negative scores upon admission and after 6 weeks of treatment. Schizophrenic patients display a loss of astroglial integrity which is not caused by neuroleptic medication. Continuously increased S100B levels are associated with negative symptomatology.
Rothermundt
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster School of Medicine, Albert-Schweitzer-Str 11, D-48129 Muenster, Germany. rothermu@uni-muenster.de
Missler
U
U
Arolt
V
V
Peters
M
M
Leadbeater
J
J
Wiesmann
M
M
Rudolf
S
S
Wandinger
K P
KP
Kirchner
H
H
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001324:Autoantigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human