International Journal of Clinical Research

Objective: To research the levels of serum homocyteine（Hcy）and folate and their relationship with P300 and psychotic symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia(FES) patients. Methods: The levels of serum Hcy and folate in 91 FES patients and 95 normal controls were tested by Enzymatic Method and electrochemical luminescence method respectively. All subjects completed auditory evoked event-related potential P300 test. Furthermore, they completed mental symptoms assessments by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) assessments. The results were compared and analyzed. Results: The serum level of Hcy in schizophrenia group was significantly higher than in control group (P<0.01). And the serum level of folate in schizophrenia group was lower than in control group(P<0.05).Compared with control group, the auditory evoked event-related potentials P300 latency period was significanty prolonged, and the amplitude was significanty decreased (all P< 0. 01). Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the serum Hcy level was not related to the serum folate level and the score of PANSS and the latencies and aplitudes of P300 in FES patients (P>0.05), and the score of the general psychopathological scale was negatively relevant to the aplitude of P300 in FES patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The level of serum Hcy elevated while serum level of folate decreased in FES, and the serum Hcy and folate had not direct correlation with cognition. Both have some relevance with the severity of mental symptom and cognitive dysfunction.

Schizophrenia; Homocysteine; Folate; P300; Psychotic Symptoms