AUTHOR=Yang Xue , Zhao Hui , Liu Xuebing , Xie Qin , Zhou Xiaoliang , Deng Qijian , Wang Gang 

TITLE=The Relationship Between Serum Cytokine Levels and the Degree of Psychosis and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis in Chinese Patients

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.594766

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2020.594766

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Cytokine levels can be changed in methamphetamine (METH) use disorders (MUDs) and primary psychosis. The present study assessed serum levels of some kinds of interleukins (ILs) in METH-associated psychosis (MAP) and their relationships with psychotic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Serum IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels were examined by chemiluminescence assays in MAP patients (<italic>n</italic> = 119) and healthy controls (<italic>n</italic> = 108). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) were administered.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased in MAP patients (all <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). There was a negative relationship between IL-2R levels and PANSS positive (P) subscale scores (<italic>r</italic> = −0.193, <italic>p</italic> = 0.035). IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels were all negatively correlated with the naming, delayed recall and orientation subscores on the MOCA (<italic>r</italic> = −0.209, <italic>p</italic> = 0.022; <italic>r</italic> = −0.245, <italic>p</italic> = 0.007; <italic>r</italic> = −0.505, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001, respectively).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our results indicate that immune disturbances are related to MAP and that IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 are associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms and cognitive function impairment.</p>