Matrix metalloproteinase-9 increases the risk of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia

Purpose of the article Synaptic plasticity is known to play role in pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Cognitive impairment is one of the complications of schizophrenia, leading to poor quality of life. Matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are markers of synaptic plasticity, widely investigated in neuropsychiatric disorders. The objective of the study was to investigate the levels of MMP-9 and NT-3 and their association with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Material and methods 124 schizophrenia patients and 124 controls were enrolled in the study. MMP-9 and NT-3 were estimated in both the groups using ELISA. Cognition was assessed using Addenbrooke cognitive examination-III (ACE-III) and disease severity was assessed using PANSS. Results MMP-9 (p = .003) and NT -3 (p < .001) were found to be elevated in schizophrenia cases compared to controls. There was significant association of MMP-9 with fluency (r = -0.195,p = .030), language (r = -0.196,p = .029) and total ACE-III scores (r = -0.197,p = .029). Also we observed that MMP-9 increases the risk of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients (OR = 2.509, CI= 1.215 - 5.18,p = .013). Conclusion MMP-9 and NT-3 are elevated in schizophrenia. MMP-9 was associated with fluency and language component of cognition and increases the risk of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.