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An Abbreviated Review of Immune Abnormalities in Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Mark H. Rapaport  and
Katia K. Delrahim
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Abstract

Initial investigations of the possible interaction between schizophrenia and the immune system began in the early 1900s and have proceeded in a rather halting fashion because of the methodological challenges faced by investigators. However, a confluence of recent data suggests that activation of the inflammatory response system, the cellular immune system, and the humoral immune system may be present in some patients with schizophrenia. Some of the most compelling data support the hypothesis that minor levels of immune activation may be associated with acute psychotic exacerbations. However, a second body of evidence suggests that some individuals with schizophrenia may have chronic, evolving autoimmune processes. This article is an overview of the history, rationale, and some of the recent findings on the interaction between schizophrenia and the immune system.

Type
Feature Article
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 6 , Issue 5: Neuroimmunology , May 2001 , pp. 392 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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