ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES ARE ELEVATED IN DRUG-FREE, MULTIPLY AFFECTED FAMILIES WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

The objective of this study was to measure anticardiolipin antibodies in patients and healthy relatives in multicase families with schizophr enia. Twenty-eight (28) multicase families with schizophrenia were exa mined. One hundred three drug-free patients and 66 first-degree relati ves consented to evaluation by DSM-III-R criteria. Criteria for patien t definition included the following: age greater than or equal to 16, a confirmed hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia, knowledge of biologic al parents, and consent to participate. Additional data were drawn fro m family history and medical records. Serum samples were tested separa tely for IgG and IgM anticardiolipin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent as say (ELISA) and designated positive/negative by comparison to the reac tivity of an age-matched control group. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were significantly more common in both patients and relatives compare d to controls. IgM anticardiolipin antibodies were significantly more common in patients. In 75% of families at least one member was anticar diolipin positive and this positivity correlated with patient positivi ty. The relevance of anticardiolipin antibodies in both patients and h ealthy relatives of some multicase families to the pathogenesis of sch izophrenia is discussed.