Role of serum growth factors in Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder and the growth factors (EGF, VEGF, FGF-2, TGF-α, PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB/BB) plays an important role in the development of schizophrenia symptoms. Growth factors are cytokine molecules that are important in the regulation of tissue nucleation, cell development, survival, and migration of all tissues in organisms including the brain and nervous system.
TGF-α, and PDGF-AA serum levels are significantly elevated in schizophrenia. FGF-2 levels are positively correlated with the duration of schizophrenia.