Peripheral immuno-inflammatory abnormalities in ultra-high risk of developing psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Immuno-inflammatory imbalances have been documented in schizophrenia, but very little is known about the immunological changes prior to the onset of disease.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to compare serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in young subjects at ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis with age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

METHODS: A total of 12 UHR and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) subjects were enrolled in this study. Clinical profile was assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS), Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I (SCID-I) or Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 were measured by flow cytometry using the Th1/Th2/Th17 cytometric bead array.

RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, patients in UHR showed increased IL-6 levels (Z=-2.370, p=0.018) and decreased IL-17 levels in serum (Z=-1.959, p=0.050). Levels of IL-17 positively correlated to the values in GAF symptoms (rho=0.632, p=0.028).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that immunological imbalances could be present in the early stages of psychosis, including in at-risk stages. Future studies should replicate and expand these results.