Investigating the aetiopathogenic role of autoantibodies against the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in patients with first episode of schizophrenia

以前，我们已经发现，一部分精神分裂症患者的抗体水平升高，靶向神经递质受体之一，M1毒蕈碱乙酰胆碱受体，并且那些抗体水平最高的患者往往有更严重的精神分裂症症状表现。在这个项目中，我们将试图确认这种关系，并进一步研究这种抗体如何能够使特定症状恶化。

Previously we have found that a proportion of patients with schizophrenia have elevated levels of antibodies that target one of the neurotransmitter receptors, the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, and that those patients who have the highest levels of antibodies tend to have more severe manifestations of some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. In this project, we will try to confirm this relationship, and also investigate further how this antibodies might be able to worsen specific symptoms.