Elevated cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND: Research suggests an association between abnormal exocytosis and schizophrenia. We previously demonstrated increased synaptosomal associated protein, 25 kDa (SNAP-25), a member of the exocytotic mechanism, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenia subjects. In this study, we explored SNAP-25 level and clinical variables in a new group of subjects. METHODS: Twenty-five haloperidol-treated subjects with chronic schizophrenia and twenty-five healthy control subjects participated in the study. Subjects received haloperidol treatment for at least 3 months and then had a lumbar puncture (n = 19). Medication was replaced by placebo, and the lumbar puncture was repeated (n = 25) after 6 weeks or sooner if limited psychotic symptoms occurred. We measured the level of SNAP-25 in the CSF and symptoms with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). RESULTS: In both haloperidol (p =.001) and placebo (p =.001) treatment conditions, SNAP-25 was elevated. There was no significant difference in SNAP-25 level between conditions. We identified significant positive correlations among SNAP-25 and the BPRS total score and psychosis and thinking disturbance subscales in subjects on haloperidol. CONCLUSIONS: These observations confirm our previous report of elevated CSF SNAP-25 and suggest that synaptic pathology may be linked with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.[1]References
- Elevated cerebrospinal fluid SNAP-25 in schizophrenia. Thompson, P.M., Kelley, M., Yao, J., Tsai, G., van Kammen, D.P. Biol. Psychiatry (2003) [Pubmed]
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