Association of Plasma Neurexin-3 with Severity of Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND

Synaptic plasticity markers are known to be altered in schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: The objectives of the study were to analyse neurexin-3 levels and their relation with severity in schizophrenia.

METHODS

A total of 216 schizophrenia patients and 216 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Neurexin-3 was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of schizophrenia was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores.

RESULTS

Neurexin-3 levels were significantly reduced (p < .001) and positively associated with negative symptom score (p = .037), general psychopathological score (p = .025) and total PANSS score (p = .019) in schizophrenia cases. Neurexin-3 was significantly increased (p < .05), and disease duration (p < .05) was significantly reduced in schizophrenia patients with marked illness compared to those with mild illness.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that neurexin-3 is reduced and is associated with the severity of schizophrenia.