SERUM ANTIBODIES TO NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE-RECEPTORS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Although elevated serum levels of antibodies to the nicotinic acetylch oline receptor (nAChR) have been reported in neuroleptic treated patie nts with tardive dyskinesia, such antibodies have not been determined in comparable nondyskinetic patients. Using a toxin-binding inhibition assay, we examined serum anti-nAChR antibody levels in 17 DSM-III-R c hronic schizophrenic patients, seven of whom had persistent tardive dy skinesia, and 10 normal controls. On the average, anti-nAChR antibody levels were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients than in nor mal controls, but did not differ between patients with and without tar dive dyskinesia, and was not related to age, sex, or duration of illne ss in patients.