Increased serum S100B protein in schizophrenia: a study in medication-free patients.

Abstract

S100B protein, a calcium binding protein produced and released by glial cells, has been used as a sensitive marker of brain damage. Previous studies have found alterations in peripheral S100B levels in schizophrenic patients on medication. We compared serum S100B levels of 20 medication-free DSM-IV schizophrenic patients and 20 age-gender matched healthy controls. Schizophrenic patients presented higher serum S100B levels (mean 0.120 ng/ml+/-S.D. 0.140) compared to controls (mean 0.066 ng/ml+/-S.D. 0.067; P=0.014) and there was a negative correlation with illness duration (r=-0.496, P=0.031). The results of this study indicate that serum S100B levels may be a state marker of a limited neurodegenerative process, particularly in the early course of schizophrenia or, at least, in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients.

• Authors: D R Lara, C S Gama, P Belmonte-de-Abreu, L V Portela, C A Gonçalves, M Fonseca, S Hauck, D O Souza
• Journal: Journal of psychiatric research (J Psychiatr Res) 2001 Jan-Feb Vol. 35 Issue 1 Pg. 11-4 ISSN: 0022-3956 [Print] England
• PMID: 11287051 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• S100 Proteins
• S100A1 protein

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Brain (metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (metabolism, pathology)
• Neuroglia (metabolism)
• S100 Proteins (blood)
• Schizophrenia (metabolism)