Copeptin, a small peptide secreted with the hormone vasopressin, appears to be one of the first promising biomarkers for predicting psychosis relapse, results of an observational study suggest.
An analysis of plasma copeptin levels in patients with schizophrenia showed those with high plasma levels of the peptide were about three times more likely to experience psychotic relapse compared with their counterparts with lower levels.
The results suggest, "copeptin could be a promising biomarker in predicting psychotic relapse in schizophrenia spectrum disorder," said study investigator Jennifer Küster, MD, Psychiatric University Clinics Basel, Switzerland. Measuring copeptin levels upon hospital admission "could help to intensify" the care of at-risk patients, she added.
The findings were presented at the virtual Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) 2021.
Relapse Prevention Important
Two thirds of patients with schizophrenia experience at least one relapse of a psychotic episode, which in turn increases the risk of the disorder having a chronic course, Küster noted.
In addition, a psychotic relapse is associated with deterioration of function and cognition and reduced treatment response, "so relapse prevention is important," she said.
Previous research has explored various methods of predicting schizophrenia outcomes. These include measuring inflammatory markers, catecholamines, oxytocin, and cortisol in combination with imaging markers, "but so far no reliable biomarker has been found," Küster said.
