Cytokines, cortisol and IGF-1 in first episode psychosis and ultra high risk males. Evidence for TNF-α, IFN-γ, ΤNF-β, IL-4 deviation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine circulating cytokines, cortisol and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1, known for their involvement in inflammation, in male patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) and subjects at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for Psychosis. The FEP group presented increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, ΤNF-β) as well as increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4) compared with Healthy Controls (HC). The UHR group showed increased IL-4 against HC. In contrast, none of the groups did show deviation from normality in either cortisol or IGF-1 levels. These preliminary findings support the cytokines' role in the inflammatory hypothesis in psychosis.

Keywords: Cortisol; Cytokines; First episode psychosis; IGF-1; Ultra high risk.