Immune alterations in schizophrenia and the effects of a therapeutic antibody: a neuroimaging study - Summary - MDSpire

Immune alterations in schizophrenia and the effects of a therapeutic antibody: a neuroimaging study

  • By

  • Yuya Mizuno

  • Ines Carreira Figueiredo

  • Toby Pillinger

  • Guy Hindley

  • Luke Baxter

  • Sita Parmar

  • Maria C Lobo

  • Jacek G Donocik

  • Ivana Rosenzweig

  • Anish Gupta

  • Ilaria Callegari

  • Sami Jeljeli

  • Joel T Dunn

  • Alexander Hammers

  • Ramla Awais

  • Kerstin Sander

  • Erik Årstad

  • Marios Politis

  • Julia J Schubert

  • Mattia Veronese

  • Federico E Turkheimer

  • Tiago Reis Marques

  • Oliver D Howes

  • December 1, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate TSPO levels in first-episode psychosis and assess the effects of natalizumab on TSPO levels and symptoms, including their relationship.

Key Findings:
  • Higher TSPO levels in patients compared to controls at baseline.
  • No significant change in TSPO levels after natalizumab or placebo treatment.
  • Natalizumab treatment led to a modest improvement in symptom scores (P = 0.017).
Interpretation:

Elevated TSPO levels in first-episode psychosis may indicate neuroinflammation, but the lack of change post-treatment suggests TSPO may not solely reflect microglial activity, raising questions about its role.

Limitations:
  • Small sample size for follow-up imaging may limit the generalizability of findings.
  • No significant correlation between TSPO changes and symptom improvement.
Conclusion:

While natalizumab showed some symptom improvement, TSPO levels remained stable, indicating a need for further research on TSPO's role in schizophrenia.

Original Source(s)

Immune alterations in schizophrenia and the effects of a therapeutic antibody: a neuroimaging study

  • by Yuya Mizuno, Ines Carreira Figueiredo, Toby Pillinger, Guy Hindley, Luke Baxter, Sita Parmar, Maria C Lobo, Jacek G Donocik, Ivana Rosenzweig, Anish Gupta, Ilaria Callegari, Sami Jeljeli, Joel T Dunn, Alexander Hammers, Ramla Awais, Kerstin Sander, Erik Årstad, Marios Politis, Julia J Schubert, Mattia Veronese, Federico E Turkheimer, Tiago Reis Marques, Oliver D Howes

  • December 1, 2025

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