Determination Changes of Blood Biomarker Levels in Two Treatment status of Antipsychotic Polypharmacy and Aripiprazole Monotherapy in Patients with Long-Term Schizophrenia

Background and objectives:  Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder, which reduces the patient quality of life. Despite the recommendation for treating this disorder with a minimum dose of medications, antipsychotic polypharmacy has been used experimentally that cause increasing the drug interactions. Aripiprazole has low risk of metabolic has recommended as a first line a treatment for schizophrenia. Biomarkers can serve as predictors for response to treatment in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of antipsychotic polypharmacy treatment with aripiprazole monotherapy in patients with long-term schizophrenia by using blood biomarkers. Methods: 19 patients with long-term schizophrenia who received at least two types of antipsychotics with daily doses of more than 500 mg of chlorpromazine were entered to the study. The response rates to the treatment based on scores in BPRS questionnaire and the blood level of interleukin II, interleukin 6, IL-1RA and BDNF biomarkers were compared in antipsychotic polypharmacy and six months after monotherapy with aripiprazole. Results: The mean concentration of IL-6, IL-1RA and IL-2 were decreased significantly after intervention. The mean changes in the BPRS questionnaire and also the relationship between changes in blood biomarkers and changes in BPRS score after intervention were not significant. Conclusion: The conversion of the antipsychotic polypharmacy state to monotherapy with aripiprazole has been accompanied by a significant decrease in the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 and IL-1RA. These biomarkers can be used for evaluating the response rate of schizophrenia treatments in the future.