Levels of BDNF, MIF and EGF in peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia and their relationship with cognitive function

ObjectiveTo investigate the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) and epidermal growth factor(EGF) in patients with schizophrenia and their relationship with cognitive function.

MethodsA total of 54 patients with schizophrenia were selected as the observation group, and 58 healthy people in the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of BDNF, MIF and EGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the patient′s clinical symptoms were evaluated by positive and negative syndrome scale(PANSS), the cognitive function was assessed by MATRICS consensus cognitive battery(MCCB), and the relationship between serum BDNF, MIF, EGF levels and cognitive function was evaluated by Pearson linear correlation analysis.

ResultsThe level of BDNF in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group(P < 0.01), and the levels of MIF and EGF were significantly higher than those in control group(P < 0.01).BDNF level was negatively correlated with PNASS score(P < 0.05), MIF level was positively correlated with PNASS score(P < 0.05), and EGF level was not significantly correlated with PANSS score(P>0.05).The scores of connection test in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group(P < 0.01), and the scores of symbol coding, visual memory, verbal memory and semantic fluency in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group(P < 0.01).The serum levels of MIF and EGF in observation group were positively correlated with visual spatial memory(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe serum levels of MIF and EGF are closely related to the clinical manifestations and some cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia.