Association of serum VEGF levels with prefrontal cortex volume in schizophrenia

摘要: A large body of evidence indicates alterations in brain regional cellular energy metabolism and blood flow schizophrenia. Among the different molecules regulating flow, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is generally accepted as major involved process angiogenesis. In present study, we examined whether peripheral VEGF levels correlate with changes prefrontal cortex (PFC) volume patients schizophrenia healthy controls. Whole-blood samples were obtained from 96 people or schizoaffective disorder 83 Serum protein analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas quantitative PCR was performed to measure interleukin-6 (IL-6, a pro-inflammatory marker implicated schizophrenia) mRNA samples. Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans using 3T Achieva scanner on subset 59 65 controls, volumes FreeSurfer software. As compared individuals had significant increase log-transformed mean serum (t(177)=2.9, P=0.005). inverse correlation (r=−0.40, P=0.002) between total frontal pole found schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Moreover, observed positive association (r=0.24, P=0.03) IL-6 These findings suggest an inflammation, that are related structural abnormalities PFC