PLASMA-LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA AND INTERLEUKIN-6 IN SCHIZOPHRENIA, OTHER PSYCHOSES, AND AFFECTIVE-DISORDERS

Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 were measured in 60 acutely hospitalized psychiatric patients and in 60 healthy controls b y enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Almost no IL-6 was detect ed in the plasma of the patients or controls. The mean level of IL-1 b eta was found to be significantly higher in schizophrenic patients tha n in their corresponding controls (P=0.03). The acute schizophrenics, but not the group of chronic schizophrenics, contributed to this incre ase. No correlation with age, duration of illness or overt psychopatho logy was found. The neuroleptic medication did not prove to have a sig nificant effect on the plasma IL-1 beta levels. There was no differenc e between non-psychotic affective disorder patients (N=17) and the con trols.