Addiction Research & Therapy

Exposing to NMDAR receptor antagonists, ketamine, produces schizophrenia-like symptoms in humans and deteriorates symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Meanwhile, schizophrenia is associated with alterations of cytokines in the immune system. Serum cytokine levels in chronic human ketamine users were measured as compared to healthy subjects. The correlations between the serum cytokines levels with the demographic, ketamine use characteristics and psychiatric symptoms were assessed. Subjects who fulfi lled the criteria of ketamine dependence and healthy control subjects were recruited. Serum cytokine levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Th e psychiatric symptoms of the ketamine abusers were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Serum levels of cytokines were altered in chronic ketamine abusers which may play a role in schizophrenia-like symptoms in chronic ketamine abusers.