title: Elevated gliadin antibody levels in individuals with schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to replicate, in a larger sample and in a different geographical location, the previously reported elevation of anti-gliadin IgG antibodies in schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 950 adults with schizophrenia (severity assessed by PANSS) and 1000 healthy controls were recruited in the Munich metropolitan area. Anti-gliadin IgG antibodies were analyzed with ELISA. χ(2)-tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the association of schizophrenia with elevated anti-gliadin IgG. A multivariable general linear model was used to compare anti-gliadin IgG levels between patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The odds ratio of having elevated anti-gliadin IgG antibodies in the schizophrenia group was 2.13 (95% CI 1.57 to 2.91, p < 0.0001). Mean anti-gliadin IgG levels were higher in schizophrenia patients (0.81 ± 0.79 vs. 0.52 ± 0.56, t = 9.529, df = 1,697, p < 0.0001) and the difference persisted after adjusting for potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study, limited by its cross sectional design, confirmed an association between anti-gliadin IgG antibodies and schizophrenia. Replication in longitudinal studies, clinical trials of gluten free diet and mechanistic investigation could lead to novel treatment targets, preventive and therapeutic considerations in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD USA.
authors.forename: Olaoluwa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okusaga
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Yolken
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Langenberg
authors.forename: Aamar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sleemi
authors.forename: Deanna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Dipika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaswani
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Giegling
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konte
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedl
authors.forename: Farooq
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohyuddin
authors.forename: Maureen W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Groer
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rujescu
authors.forename: Teodor T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Postolache
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D005903:Gliadin