title: Neuropeptide Y, social function and long-term outcome in schizophrenia.
abstract: There is a lack of biomarkers in schizophrenia and the mechanisms underlying the observed deficits in social functioning are poorly understood. This cohort study aimed to explore whether neurotransmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with schizophrenia is correlated to social function and clinical variables. A further aim was to determine whether baseline levels of NPY were associated with subsequent 3-year outcome. Fifty-six consecutively admitted patients with schizophrenia were included and underwent lumbar puncture and symptom ratings before antipsychotic treatment. NPY levels in CSF were determined by radioimmunoassay. Social function (Social Competence and Social Interest) was assessed by Nurses' Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation while psychiatric symptoms were rated using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. Three-year outcome was assessed with the Strauss-Carpenter Outcome Scale. Cross-sectional analysis showed a correlation between level of NPY and Social Competence at index admission (r(s)=0.37, p<0.05). The longitudinal analysis (i.e., at the 3-year follow-up) indicated that, for each standard deviation increase in baseline NPY, there was an increased risk of being unemployed (odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-3.82), having moderate or severe symptoms (OR 3.09, CI 1.30-7.32) or being hospitalized at least 6 months the previous year (OR 3.24, CI 1.09-9.64). However, NPY was not correlated to Social Interest or clinical variables at index admission. In conclusion, NPY levels in CSF are correlated to Social Competence and seem to predict some aspects of longitudinal outcome in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Gabriella.Stalberg@neuro.uu.se.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stålberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Lisa.Ekselius@neuro.uu.se.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ekselius
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: leifheimer@bredband.net.
authors.forename: Leif H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Box 593, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Dan.Larhammar@neuro.uu.se.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larhammar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Robert.Boden@neuro.uu.se.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bodén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D066107:Social Skills; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009478:Neuropeptide Y
keywords: Biological predictor; Neuropeptides; Psychosis; Social skills