INCREASED INTERLEUKIN-1 AND INTERLEUKIN-3 LIKE ACTIVITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

1. The interleukins play an important role in the development and main tenance of the immune system. 2. Decreased cell mediated immunity meas ures were found in schizophrenic patients. 3. The purpose of the prese nt study was to study the spontaneous production of interleukin-l (IL- 1) and interleukin-3 like activity (IL-3-LA) by human mononuclear cell s from schizophrenic patients in comparison to healthy individuals.4. Interleukin-1 was increased significant by schizophrenic patients as c ompared to controls. 5. Interleukin-3 like activity was sligthly eleva ted in schizophrenic patients as compared to controls. 6. These findin gs support the hypothesis of an autoimmune dysfunction in some schizop hrenic patients.