GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTORS may help distinguish early stages of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with lower nerve growth factor receptor concentrations identified in individuals with first episode psychosis and those at ultra-high risk of psychosis, according to new research.
Researchers assessed serum concentrations of nerve growth factor receptor (nGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (eGFR), and integrin beta-1 (ITGB1) in 93 patients and 34 healthy controls.
Participants were categorised as having deficit schizophrenia, non-deficit schizophrenia, first episode psychosis, or ultra-high risk of psychosis.
Serum receptor concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Analysis showed that nGFR concentrations were significantly lower in individuals with first episode psychosis and those at ultra-high risk of psychosis compared with healthy controls.
In contrast, eGFR concentrations were elevated across all patient groups compared with controls, including deficit schizophrenia, non-deficit schizophrenia, first episode psychosis, and ultra-high-risk states.
ITGB1 concentrations were also significantly higher across all clinical groups than in healthy participants.
The study further explored associations between receptor levels and clinical characteristics. Higher nGFR concentrations were linked to a greater number of disease exacerbations.
Reported eGFR levels increased progressively with exacerbation frequency, reaching the highest levels among individuals with 10 to 14 exacerbations.
Similarly, elevated ITGB1 concentrations were associated with more frequent exacerbations. Patients with 10 to 14 exacerbations had higher ITGB1 levels than the reference group.
The findings suggest that eGFR and ITGB1 may reflect disease activity and severity rather than differences between diagnostic stages alone.
Treatment effects were also observed. Aripiprazole use was associated with reduced eGFR concentrations and lower ITGB1 levels.
No significant relationship was identified between receptor concentrations and illness duration, while only limited associations were found with symptom severity measures.
The researchers concluded that nGFR may represent a marker of early schizophrenia related changes, whereas eGFR and ITGB1 may provide insight into disease activity and treatment response.
They noted that larger longitudinal studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of these growth factor receptors for diagnosis, monitoring, and personalised treatment strategies.
Reference
Cecerska-Heryć E et al. Growth factor receptor profiles across schizophrenia spectrum disorders: associations with disease stage and clinical course. Sci Rep. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-66696-7
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