NMDA-receptor coagonists in serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenia patients: A meta-analysis of case-control studies

Annelies Brouwer, Jurjen J. Luykx, Loes van Boxmeer, Steven C. Bakker, René S. Kahn

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Serine and other amino acids that function as coagonists at the N-methyl-. d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) have been extensively investigated in schizophrenia (SCZ). However, studies comparing amino acid levels in body fluids of SCZ patients with healthy controls have yielded inconsistent results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis (search: May 9, 2013) of serine, l-serine, d-serine, glycine, alanine, proline, and aspartate levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from adult SCZ patients and healthy controls. Standardized differences of means (SDMs) were computed, and heterogeneity, subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were conducted. Blood serine levels were found to be significantly higher in SCZ patients compared to healthy controls (SDM = 0.280 (0.021-0.540), p=0.034; N=1671 subjects), whereas CSF serine, l-serine, d-serine, glycine, alanine, proline, and aspartate levels did not differ. Stratification by sex suggested that the case-control difference in blood serine levels particularly applies to male subjects. These results provide support for blood serine level aberrations in SCZ patients and warrant further research to disentangle the involvement of serine with SCZ in both sexes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1587-1596
Number of pages10
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume37
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meta-analysis
  • NMDA receptor coagonist
  • Schizophrenia
  • Serine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'NMDA-receptor coagonists in serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenia patients: A meta-analysis of case-control studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this