Increased S100B blood levels in unmedicated and treated schizophrenic patients are correlated with negative symptomatology

S100B, a calcium-binding protein produced by astroglial cells, is a marker of astroglial cellular integrity. It has been shown to be increased in acut e brain damage and neurodegeneration. A recent study showed increased S100B levels in medicated acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia. The stu dy presented here included 26 drug-free patients with acute schizophrenia a nd 26 matched healthy controls. S100B blood concentrations were determined using a quantitative immunoassay upon admission and after 6 weeks of neurol eptic treatment. The PANSS was used to investigate psychopathology. Unmedic ated schizophrenic patients showed significantly increased S100B levels com pared to matched healthy controls. After 6 weeks of treatment, 11 patients showed normal S100B levels while in 15 patients the levels remained increas ed. These patients showed significantly higher PANSS negative scores upon a dmission and after 6 weeks of treatment. Schizophrenic patients display a l oss of astroglial integrity which is not caused by neuroleptic medication. Continuously increased S100B levels are associated with negative symptomato logy.