Stress-induced increase in kynurenic acid as a potential biomarker for patients with schizophrenia and distress intolerance.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Several lines of evidence have linked the endogenous neuromodulator kynurenic acid (KYNA) to schizophrenia. The pathophysiology of schizophrenia is commonly associated with stress, and stress plays a key regulatory role in the first, rate-limiting step of the kynurenine pathway, which produces KYNA.

Objective

To determine whether the level of KYNA changes following psychological stress and whether this change is associated with stress-related behavior.

Design, setting, and participants

The KYNA level was measured in saliva samples taken at baseline and at 2 times following a laboratory-based psychological stress challenge in 128 participants (64 patients with schizophrenia from outpatient clinics and 64 healthy controls from the community).

Exposure

SUBMITTER: Chiappelli J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4219570 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature