Altered interleukin-18 levels are associated with cognitive impairment in chronic schizophrenia. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Jing Qin; Chen, Da Chun; Tan, Yun Long; Tan, Shu Ping; Xiu, Mei Hong; Wang, Zhi Ren; De Yang, Fu; Soares, Jair C.; Zhang, Xiang Yang
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 76(2016:May)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Schizophrenia -- Behavior -- Cytokines -- Biological psychiatry -- Neuropsychiatry; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.01.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: The pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia may involve the neuroinflammation mediated by cytokines. This study examined the IL-18 levels, the cognitive function, and their association in schizophrenia. We recruited 70 chronic patients and 75 normal controls and examined the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and IL-18 levels. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was assessed in chronic patients. IL-18 levels were increased in chronic patients as compared to normal controls (p < 0.01). RBANS total score and the subscales of immediate memory and delayed memory were lower in patients than controls (all p < 0.001). In patients, IL-18 levels were positively associated with RBANS total score and the subscales of immediate and delayed memory (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis further confirmed that IL-18 was an independent contributor to RBANS total score and the aforementioned two indexes (all p < 0.05). Our data demonstrate that immune responses may play an important role in cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and the abnormal levels of IL-18 reflecting the disturbed balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms may be relevant to cognitive deficits of this disorder. Highlights: IL-18 levels were higher in chronic schizophrenia patients than in normal controls. In schizophrenia, IL-18 levels were positively associated with RBANS total score. IL-18 levels were positively associated with immediate and delayed memory in cases. Cytokines may play an important role in cognitive performance in schizophrenia. The beneficial effect of IL-18 may contribute to the aforementioned associations.