Table 1 Overview of cytokine dysregulation in schizophrenia (key findings from the literature)
From: The role of infections and inflammation in schizophrenia: review of the evidence
Cytokine | Level in schizophrenia | Key findings | References |
|---|---|---|---|
IL-6 | Elevated | - Significantly increased in the first episode and chronic schizophrenia - Linked to positive symptoms and cognitive impairment - Higher levels associated with childhood psychosis and early life trauma | |
CRP | Elevated | - Increased in the first episode and chronic schizophrenia - Linked to positive symptoms and cognitive impairment | |
IL-1β | Lower in the first episode, elevated in chronic | - Decreased in first episode psychosis - Tended to increase during acute episodes and decrease with treatment | |
TNF-α | Elevated | - Increased across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression - May signal neuroinflammation | |
sIL2R | Elevated | - Increased across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression | |
IL-12 | Elevated | - Increased in chronic schizophrenia | [128] |
IL-1RA | Elevated | - Increased in acute schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression | [138] |
TGF-β | Elevated in acute psychosis | - Increased during acute psychotic episodes | [117] |
INF-γ | Elevated | - Increased in chronic schizophrenia | [128] |
IL-8 | Elevated in CSF | - Higher levels in CSF of schizophrenia patients | [128] |
BDNF | Decreased | - Reduced schizophrenia, linked to childhood trauma and IL-6 | [120] |
GSH | Decreased | - Lower in acute psychosis compared to controls - Linked to oxidative stress - Linked to negative symptoms - Decreased gray matter volume | |
Glx | Elevated in early stages | - Higher levels in young adults with acute symptoms | [134] |
SOD | Â | - Stable in acute psychosis - Linked to positive symptoms | [127] |
CAT | Â | - Stable in acute psychosis | [127] |