TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTORS BETA-1 AND BETA-2 IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF beta s) are potent immunosuppres sive molecules released in the brain after injury. We hypothesized tha t TGF beta levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenic patien ts would be altered because TGF beta can influence neural cell adhesio n moelecule (N-CAM) expression in vitro. The levels of TGF beta 1 and beta 2 in CSF of patients with schizophrenia and normal controls measu red by ELISA showed no differences. There was evidence that the stabil ity of TGF beta in CSF may be altered in schizophrenia. For a limited sample, TGF beta 1 and N-CAM concentrations were significantly correla ted in normal patients (r = 0.98) but not in schizophrenics. The resul ts do not support an active neurodegeneration or anti-inflammatory res ponse in the central nervous system, which is reflected in the CSF of chronic schizophrenics. (C) 1997 American College of Neuropsychopharma cology.