Effects of long-term treatment with antipsychotics on serum leptin levels

Background Abnormal regulation of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin coul d play a role in body weight gain induced by antipsychotics. Aims To study the effects of long-term antipsychotic treatment on leptin le vels in patients with schizophrenia. Method Serum leptin levels were determined in 59 out-patients with chronic schizophrenia and in the same number of healthy subjects controlled by gend er, age and body mass index. Results Leptin levels did not differ between patients and controls. Leptin levels in patients with schizophrenia correlated with weight gain, even aft er controlling for current weight, but did not show any association with cl inical variables. Antipsychotic class tended to exert different effects ove r leptin levels (among atypicals, olanzapine induced a greater increase). Conclusions Elevation of leptin levels induced by chronic antipsychotic tre atment can be attributed to weight gain, but other mechanisms could be invo lved.