Plasma β-III tubulin, neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein are associated with neurodegeneration and progression in schizophrenia

Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 31;10(1):14271. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71060-4.

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a progressive disorder characterized by multiple psychotic relapses. After every relapse, patients may not fully recover, and this may lead to a progressive loss of functionality. Pharmacological treatment represents a key factor to minimize the biological, psychological and psychosocial impact of the disorder. The number of relapses and the duration of psychotic episodes induce a potential neuronal damage and subsequently, neurodegenerative processes. Thus, a comparative study was performed, including forty healthy controls and forty-two SZ patients divided into first-episode psychosis (FEP) and chronic SZ (CSZ) subgroups, where the CSZ sub group was subdivided by antipsychotic treatment. In order to measure the potential neuronal damage, plasma levels of β-III tubulin, neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were performed. The results revealed that the levels of these proteins were increased in the SZ group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, multiple comparison analysis showed highly significant levels of β-III tubulin (P = 0.0002), Nf-L (P = 0.0403) and GFAP (P < 0.015) in the subgroup of CSZ clozapine-treated. In conclusion, β-III tubulin, Nf-L and GFAP proteins may be potential biomarkers of neurodegeneration and progression in SZ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurofilament Proteins / blood*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism
  • Schizophrenia / pathology*
  • Tubulin / blood*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • GFAP protein, human
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Tubulin
  • neurofilament protein L