Association of Plasma Neurexin-3 with Severity of Schizophrenia

Background Synaptic plasticity markers are known to be altered in schizophrenia. Purpose The objectives of the study were to analyse neurexin-3 levels and their relation with severity in schizophrenia. Methods A total of 216 schizophrenia patients and 216 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Neurexin-3 was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The severity of schizophrenia was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores. Results Neurexin-3 levels were significantly reduced ( p < .001) and positively associated with negative symptom score ( p = .037), general psychopathological score ( p = .025) and total PANSS score ( p = .019) in schizophrenia cases. Neurexin-3 was significantly increased ( p < .05), and disease duration ( p < .05) was significantly reduced in schizophrenia patients with marked illness compared to those with mild illness. Conclusion We conclude that neurexin-3 is reduced and is associated with the severity of schizophrenia.