In:
Psychological Medicine, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 44, No. 15 ( 2014-11), p. 3249-3261
Abstract:
Previous studies suggest that abnormalities in maternal immune activity during pregnancy alter the offspring's brain development and are associated with increased risk for schizophrenia (SCZ) dependent on sex. Method. Using a nested case–control design and prospectively collected prenatal maternal sera from which interleukin (IL)-1 β , IL-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α and IL-10 were assayed, we investigated sex-dependent associations between these cytokines and 88 psychotic cases [SCZ = 44; affective psychoses (AP) = 44] and 100 healthy controls from a pregnancy cohort followed for 〉 40 years. Analyses included sex-stratified non-parametric tests adjusted for multiple comparisons to screen cytokines associated with SCZ risk, followed by deviant subgroup analyses using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Results. There were higher prenatal IL-6 levels among male SCZ than male controls, and lower TNF- α levels among female SCZ than female controls. The results were supported by deviant subgroup analyses with significantly more SCZ males with high IL-6 levels ( 〉 highest quartile) compared with controls [odd ratio (OR) 75 = 3.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–9.82], and greater prevalence of low TNF- α levels ( 〈 lowest quartile) among SCZ females compared with their controls (OR 25 = 6.30, 95% CI 1.20–33.04) and SCZ males. Higher levels of IL-6 were only found among SCZ compared with AP cases. Lower TNF- α levels (non-significant) also characterized female AP cases versus controls, although the prevalence of the lowest levels was higher in SCZ than AP females (70% v . 40%), with no effect in SCZ or AP males. Conclusions. The results underscore the importance of immunologic processes affecting fetal brain development and differential risk for psychoses depending on psychosis subtype and offspring sex.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0033-2917
,
1469-8978
DOI:
10.1017/S0033291714000683
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1470300-2
SSG:
5,2
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