Elevated gliadin antibody levels in individuals with schizophrenia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

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: Olaoluwa Okusaga, Robert H Yolken, Patricia Langenberg, Aamar Sleemi, Deanna L Kelly, Dipika Vaswani, Ina Giegling, Annette M Hartmann, Bettina Konte, Marion Friedl, Farooq Mohyuddin, Maureen W Groer, Dan Rujescu, Teodor T Postolache
• Journal: The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (World J Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 14 Issue 7 Pg. 509-15 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 1814-1412 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23282016 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• Gliadin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Autoantibodies (biosynthesis, physiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Germany (epidemiology)
• Gliadin (immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Odds Ratio
• Schizophrenia (epidemiology, immunology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Up-Regulation (immunology)
• Young Adult