Immunoglobulin levels in psychiatric patients

Abstract

In a study of 19 schizophrenic patients, 7 nonschizophrenic patients, and 31 controls, the authors found significantly higher mean serum levels of 1) immunoglobulin A in schizophrenic women then in control women and in schizophrenic blacks than in either schizophrenic whites or black controls. 2) immunoglobulin D in schizophrenic blacks than in schizophrenic whites, 3) immunoglobulin M in controls than in nonschizophrenic patients, and 4) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in schizophrenics whose urine was positive for phenothiazines than in schizophrenics whose urine was negative for phenothiazines. High serum levels of IgG were associated with no or mild hallucinations and low levels with moderate or severe hallucinations. Black female patients had significantly more severe hallucinaions than white female patients. The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings.