Izvorni znanstveni članak

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2023.180

SYMPTOM SEVERITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS WITH NPAS3, DYSBINDIN-1 AND/OR TRIOBP PROTEIN PATHOLOGY IN THEIR BLOOD SERUM: A PANSS-BASED FOLLOW UP STUDY

Aristea Pavešić Radonja orcid.org/0000-0002-6528-5727 ; Psychiatry Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Sandra Blažević Zelić orcid.org/0000-0001-9726-0703 ; Psychiatry Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Gordana Rubeša ; Psychiatry Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Nicholas J. Bradshaw orcid.org/0000-0001-5581-8828 ; Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Sažetak

Background: It has been proposed that aggregation of specific proteins in the brain may be a pathological element in schizophrenia
and other chronic disorders. Multiple such aggregating proteins have now been implicated through post mortem investigation,
including NPAS3 (Neuronal PAS domain protein 3), dysbindin-1 (encoded by the DTNBP1, Dystrobrevin Binding Protein 1, gene)
and TRIOBP (Trio-Binding Protein, multiple isoforms). While the presence of protein aggregates in the brain is interesting in terms of
understanding pathology, it is impractical as a biomarker. These proteins were therefore investigated recently in blood serum of schizophrenia
patients and controls, showing patients to have higher levels of NPAS3 in their serum generally. TRIOBP-1 and dysbindin-1
were also found in an insoluble state, implying aggregation, but did not clearly corresponding to disease state.
Subject and methods: We revisit 47 of the originally recruited 50 patients with schizophrenia, all of whom are Croatian and
aged between 18 and 72. We assessed their symptom specificity and severity using PANSS (the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale),
comparing those with NPAS3, insoluble dysbindin-1 and/or insoluble TRIOBP-1 in their blood serum to those lacking any such protein
dysregulation.
Results: The frequency of each individual potential protein pathology among these patients was too low for meaningful statistical
analysis, however the 11 patients that displayed one or more of these pathologies (NPAS3, dysbindin-1, TRIOBP-1 and/or TRIOBP-
5/6) showed a subtle but significant increase in total PANSS scores compared to the 36 patients displaying none of the pathologies
(p = 0.031), seemingly driven principally by increased scores on the general psychopathology scale.
Conclusion: While the numbers of patients involved do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn at this time, this provides the first
indication that disturbed proteostasis in blood serum, of proteins that aggregate in the brains of schizophrenia patients, may correlate
with the severity of schizophrenia symptoms.

Ključne riječi

Blood serum; PANSS; Protein aggregation; Proteinopathy; Schizophrenia

Hrčak ID:

306941

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/306941

Datum izdavanja:

17.7.2023.

Posjeta: 177 *