Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Chronic Schizophrenic Versus Healthy Control and Correlation with Severity of Illness

摘要

Schizophrenia is a common psychotic disorder, with a risk of about 1%, the a etiology of schizophrenia unknown, one of which includes immunological disorders. Although, there are conflicting results, most studies focusing on plasma levels or the production of mitogen-stimulated cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor. This study compared serum levels of Tumor necrosis factor alpha in male chronic schizophrenic patients and healthy control, and the correlation with severity of illness. This study was conducted on 40 male patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenic and 40 healthy control. Severity illness was assessed with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Serum levels of Tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured by immunoassay. Tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were significantly higher in male patients with chronic schizophrenic to healthy control subjects. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of Tumor necrosis factor alpha and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score. This study suggest that Tumor necrosis factor alpha may be Involved in the psychopathology of schizophrenia and may be a marker of schizophrenia.