MONOZYGOTIC TWINS DISCORDANT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA ARE DISCORDANT FOR N-CAM AND L1 IN CSF

While schizophrenia has a genetic component, its pathogenesis is unkno wn. Abnormal concentrations of two cell recognition molecules (CRMs), neural-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and L1 antigen have been describ ed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with schizophrenia. St udies of monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia may help separ ate genetic and environmental contributions to the disease. In the pre sent study of monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia, the affe cted twins had increased N-CAM and decreased L1 antigen in their CSF. Non-affected twins were not different from normals. Although processes related to genetic instability cannot be entirely ruled out, these re sults suggest that these abnormalities are not a part of the genetic p redisposition to become schizophrenic. Thus the changes in N-CAM and L 1 antigen may reflect either the events which precipitated the onset o f schizophrenia, or events which are associated with the experience of having the disease. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.