Acute variations of cytokine levels after antipsychotic treatment in drug-naïve subjects with a first-episode psychosis: A meta-analysis
Abstract
Schizophrenia is likely to be associated with immunological abnormalities. However, antipsychotics may induce immunomodulatory effects, by influencing plasma cytokines. In order to distinguish these influences, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the acute effect of antipsychotics on candidate cytokines plasma levels (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α) among drug-naïve subjects with first episode psychosis. We searched main Electronic Databases, identifying eight studies meeting our inclusion criteria. Plasma cytokines values were used to estimate standardized mean differences. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using the I 2 index and controlled in relevant sensitivity analyses. IL-2 (p=0.023) and IL-6 (p=0.012) levels showed a significant decrease after four weeks of antipsychotic treatment. Relevant sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings. IL-1β had high between-study heterogeneity. However, leaving out one study, a significant decrease after treatment was found. IL-6 and IL-2, and possibly IL-1β, could be considered state markers, decreasing after antipsychotic treatment, whilst TNF-α, IL-17, and IFN-γ might be considered trait markers. Options for novel treatments in FEP, involving cytokine-modulating agents, should be further studied.
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IL-6 has inconsistent findings in SCZ pre- and post-treatment comparison.
“For example, IL-6 has inconsistent findings in SCZ pre- and post-treatment comparison41,42,”
From Inflammation-related biomarkers in major psychiatric disorders: a cross-disorder assessment of reproducibility and specificity in 43 meta-analyses (2019) · cites this paper as [42]
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- Authors
- Capuzzi, E., Bartoli, F., Crocamo, C., Clerici, M., & Carrà, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Capuzzi, Enrico
- Venue
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-06
- Volume
- 77
- Pages
- 122-128
- ISSN
- 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2592490726
- Cited by
- 139
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 5
- FWCI
- 0.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotoxicology and immune responses
- Keywords
- antipsychotic drugs, first-episode psychosis, plasma cytokines, interleukin-6, interleukin-2, IL-1β, TNF-α, interferon-gamma, IL-17, immunomodulation, drug-naive patients, schizophrenia
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Psychotic Disorders, Antipsychotic Agents, Cytokines
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