Characteristics of the Immune System and the Risk of Developing Endogenous Psychosis at Juvenile Age

Study aim. To investigate immunological parameters at the early stages of development of juvenile schizophrenia. Materials and methods. Immunological profiles were determined in patients aged 16–25 years receiving in-patient treatment. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 39 patients with psychopathological symptomatology at the non-psychotic level (prodrome group) and group 2 consisted of 38 patients with first onset of endogenous psychosis (psychosis group). Immunological parameters included phagocytic activity, lymphocyte natural killer cytotoxic activity, production of interleukins IL-1, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon γ, and circulating immune complex (CIC) levels. These investigations were performed before and after treatment. Results. The experiments reported here showed that changes in immune system function were seen in patients at the earliest stages of disease development, with activation of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory interleukins, decreases in phagocytic index and natural killer lymphocyte cytotoxic activity, and phagocytic number. Development of psychosis was associated with persistence of the high level of IL-10 production, the decreased level of natural killer cytotoxic activity, and the decreased phagocytic index, with accumulation of CIC. Conclusions. The authors recommend the use of not only psychotropic, but also immunomodulatory agents at the early stage of the development of endogenous psychosis. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.