Biomarkers in First Episode Schizophrenia

It is currently unknown whether deterioration early in the course of psychotic illness represents medication toxicity or the natural course of the illness. The study will help clarify this issue in observing 70 schizophrenic patients before and after they are prescribed an antipsychotic via standard of care. In addition, schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder and a putative brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) deficit, while possibly a common pathway, may not fully capture the biological diversity-the supplemental biomarkers will allow us to perform a more comprehensive assessment of factors contributing to clinical course. Taken together analysis of these biomarkers in relation to clinical course and in relation to healthy subjects will inform us about biological mechanisms contributing to illness onset, effects of antipsychotic medication on these mechanisms, and the predictive value of the biomarkers for clinical course. This information will provide the foundation for future early intervention trials targeting biological mechanisms utilizing a personalized medicine approach. The baseline visit for 70 schizophrenic patients and 70 healthy age and gender matched controls consists of structural and functional MRI in addition to a blood draw for biomarkers including BDNF, inflammation markers, DNA, oxidative stress, and folate status and additionally a salivary cortisol sample collection. Biomarkers and imaging will be repeated after 8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in patients.