Plasma amino acids profile in first-episode psychosis, unaffected siblings and community-based controls

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 8;10(1):21423. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78559-w.

Abstract

Investigations of plasma amino acids in early psychosis and their unaffected siblings are rare. We measured plasma amino acids involved in the co-activation of dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, and serotoninergic neurotransmitters in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 166), unaffected siblings (n = 76), and community-based controls (n = 166) included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of glutamic acid (GLU), glutamine, glycine, proline (PRO), tryptophan (TRP), tyrosine, serine and GABA were quantified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used the generalized linear model adjusted by sex, age, and body mass index for group comparison and paired t-test for FEP-Sibling pairs. FEP had reduced GABA plasma levels compared to siblings and controls (p < 0.05 for both). Siblings had lower GLU, Glx and PRO (p < 0.05 for all) but increased TRP compared to patients and controls (p < 0.05 for both). FEP patients with longer duration of pharmacological treatment and medicated only with antipsychotics had increased GLU compared to FEP with shorter periods, or with those treated with a combination of medications (p < 0.05 for both). Finally, FEP patients treated only with antipsychotics presented higher Glx compared to those with mixed medications (p = 0.026). Our study suggests that FEP have low a GABA plasma profile. Unaffected siblings may be a possible risk group for metabolic abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acids / blood*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Glutamic Acid / blood
  • Glutamine / blood
  • Glycine / blood
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Proline / analysis
  • Psychotic Disorders / blood*
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Siblings*
  • Tryptophan / blood
  • Young Adult
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / blood

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Glutamine
  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Tryptophan
  • Proline
  • Glycine