Plasma levels of D-serine in Brazilian individuals with schizophrenia.

Authors :: Calcia MA
Madeira C
Alheira FV
Silva TC
Tannos FM
Vargas-Lopes C
Goldenstein N
Brasil MA
Ferreira ST
Panizzutti R
Source :: Schizophrenia research [Schizophr Res] 2012 Dec; Vol. 142 (1-3), pp. 83-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Oct 12.
Publication Year :: 2012
Abstract: Changes in D-serine availability in the brain may contribute to the hypofunction of NMDA-glutamate receptors in schizophrenia; however, measurements of blood levels of D-serine in individuals with schizophrenia have not been consistent amongst previous studies. Here we studied plasma levels of D-serine and L-serine in 84 Brazilian individuals with schizophrenia and 75 gender- and age-matched controls. Plasma levels of D-serine and the ratio of plasma D-serine to total serine were significantly lower in individuals with schizophrenia as compared to the control group. Levels of D-serine were significantly and negatively correlated to the severity of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We also observed that plasma levels of D-serine significantly decreased with aging in healthy controls. Our results suggest that the possible role of D-serine in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia should be further investigated, with possible implications for the drug treatment of this disorder.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)