The purpose of this study was to compare NK cell activity in schizophrenic patients with those in normal healthy subjects. 53 schizophrenic patients and 49 healthy subjects were included in the study.
Of 53 schizophrenic patients, 42 patients had b...
The purpose of this study was to compare NK cell activity in schizophrenic patients with those in normal healthy subjects. 53 schizophrenic patients and 49 healthy subjects were included in the study.
Of 53 schizophrenic patients, 42 patients had been treated with antipsychotic drugs for at least 6 months before the study and 11 patients had been drug free before the study.
The results of the study were as follows :
1) Schizophrenic patients showed significantly lower NK cell activity than control subjects did. There was a statistically significant difference between schizophrenic patients and control subjects in NK cell a activity(p〈0.0001).
2) There was a statistically significant difference in NK cell actively between drug treated group and drug free group(p〈0.0001).
3) There was not a statistically significant difference in NK cell actively between drug free group and normal control group(p〉0.05).
4) Sex difference of the NK cell activity was not statistically significant(p〉0.05).
5) Age difference of the NK cell activity was not statistically significant(p〉0.05).
In conclusion, these findings suggest that NK cell actively is significantly associated with schizophrenia.