Serum S100B is increased during early treatment with antipsychotics and in deficit schizophrenia.
Previous studies reported controversial results concerning alterations of astrocytes in schizophrenia. Because S100B may be regarded as a marker for astrocytes, the objective of this study was to examine S100B serum concentrations in 30 patients with schizophrenia with a monoclonal two-site immunoluminometric assay that specifically detects S100B. An ANOVA revealed medication (p<0.005) and deficit vs. nondeficit syndrome (p<0.05) as factors that influenced S100B significantly. S100B was higher in schizophrenic patients treated with antipsychotic drugs for approximately 3 weeks (241.1+/-152.5 ng/l) in comparison with unmedicated patients (111.4+/-31.8 ng/l, p<0.005), and healthy age-matched controls (112.8+/-53.4 ng/l, p<0.001; Bonferroni corrected two-tailed Student's t-test). There was no difference of S100B between unmedicated patients and controls (p>0.05). Patients with deficit (250.6+/-154.9 ng/l) had higher S100B levels than patients with nondeficit schizophrenia (146.7+/-107.2 ng/l, p<0.05) or controls (p<0.005). S100B was positively correlated with the subscore 'thought disturbance' of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (p<0.05). In summary, increased serum levels of S100B may indicate alterations of astrocytes during early treatment with antipsychotics and in deficit schizophrenia. Whether S100B is elevated due to injured astrocytes and a disrupted blood-brain barrier, or by active secretion of S100B by astrocytes, has to be clarified by further studies.
Schroeter
Matthias L
ML
Department of Psychiatry, Queen-Elisabeth-Hospital, 10362 Berlin, Germany. schroet@cns.mpg.de
Abdul-Khaliq
Hashim
H
Frühauf
Stephan
S
Höhne
Ruth
R
Schick
Gabi
G
Diefenbacher
Albert
A
Blasig
Ingolf E
IE
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human