The association of cognitive performance and IL-6 levels in schizophrenia is influenced by age and antipsychotic treatment

Abstract

Aims: Recent findings suggest that cognitive impairment can be associated with inflammation and immune changes in schizophrenia. We aimed to study possible associations between cytokine levels and cognitive performance in a sample of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Cognition was assessed with the brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia in 63 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia. Blood was collected and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were measured by cytometric bead array method. Psychopathological scales were also applied.

Results: IL-6 correlated negatively with general cognitive performance (rho = –0.395, p = .017) and positively with antipsychotic dose (rho = 0.412, p = .004). Multiple regression analysis showed that cognitive performance is associated with age and antipsychotic dose (p = .000 and p = .033).

Conclusion: The association between IL-6 levels and cognitive performance is dependent on age and antipsychotic dose.

Keywords:

• Schizophrenia
• cognition
• inflammation
• IL-6

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors' contribution

Conception and design of the study was done by RRS, SMCC, RF, ALT, JVS. Acquisition and analysis of data was performed by RRS, SMCC, RF, ATC, OAMF, ALT, JVS. Drafting the manuscript and tables was done by RRS, ALT, JVS.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rafael Ribeiro-Santos

Rafael Ribeiro-Santos is a Brazilian psychiatrist, works at FHEMIG, M.D. in Neuroscience at Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Salvina Maria de Campos-Carli

Salvina Maria de Campos-Carli is a biomedic, PhD in Neuroscience at UFMG.

Rodrigo Ferretjans

Rodrigo Ferretjans is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and PhD in Neuroscience at UFMG.

Andrea Teixeira-Carvalho

Andrea Teixeira-Carvalho, PhD in Biochemistry at UFMG, works in René Rachou Institute, Brazil.

Olindo Assis Martins-Filho

Olindo Assis Martins-Filho is a PhD in Biochemistry at UFMG, works in René Rachou Institute, Brazil.

Antonio Lucio Teixeira

Antonio Lucio Teixeira is psychiatrist and neurologist, PhD in Morphology at UFMG, works in Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

João Vinícius Salgado

João Vinícius Salgado is a psychiatrist, PhD in Psychology at Universidade de São Paulo (USP), works in the Neuroscience Program at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.