Cells taken from the inside of the cheek may hold clues to diagnosing schizophrenia, according to fresh research. The study, involving 54 participants, identified specific biomarkers in cheek cells that differed between individuals with and without the mental health disorder.
Researchers carefully collected cells from the inner cheek of 27 people diagnosed with schizophrenia and 27 individuals without the condition. Analysis of these samples revealed elevated levels of two particular proteins in those with schizophrenia.
Participants with schizophrenia exhibited significantly higher levels of a genetic signal known as Sp4 mRNA compared to those without the disorder. A smaller subset of samples showed substantially increased levels of the protein HSP60.
The study found a correlation between the levels of these biomarkers and the severity of symptoms experienced by participants. Higher levels of both Sp4 mRNA and HSP60 were also associated with poorer memory function. This research offers a potential avenue for developing new diagnostic tools for schizophrenia, a condition that affects approximately 1 in 300 people worldwide.
The tissue found in our cheeks originates from the same cells that form our central nervous system during fetal development, offering a unique insight into potential biological markers for the disorder.
