Increased serum S100B protein in schizophrenia: a study in medication-free patients

S100B protein, a calcium binding protein produced and released by glial cells, has been used as a sensitive marker of brain damage. Previous studies have found alterations in peripheral S100B levels in schizophrenic patients on medication. We compared serum S100B levels of 20 medication-free DSM-IV schizophrenic patients and 20 age-gender matched healthy controls. Schizophrenic patients presented higher serum S100B levels (mean 0.120 ng/ml +/-S.D. 0.140) compared to controls (mean 0.066 ng/ml +/-S.D. 0.067; P = 0.014) and there was a negative correlation with illness duration (r = -0.496. P = 0.031). The results of this study indicate that serum S100B levels may be a state marker of a limited neurodegenerative process. particularly in the early course of schizophrenia or, at least, in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.