Lysophosphatidylethanolamine correlated with cognitive improvements after treatment with olanzapine in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits are a core symptom of schizophrenia (SCZ). Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) has been reported to be involved in cognitive decline, but no studies have investigated its role in cognitive impairment in SCZ. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether plasma LysoPE could predict the cognitive effects of olanzapine (OLA) monotherapy in SCZ. Methods Twenty-five drug-naïve first-episode (DNFE) patients with SCZ were recruited and treated with OLA for 4 weeks. Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline and at 4-week follow-up. LysoPE concentrations were measured by an untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS)-based metabolomics approach. Results Significant improvements in immediate memory and delayed memory domains were observed after treatment. Nine differential LysoPE species were identified after OLA monotherapy, and all LysoPE concentrations were significantly increased after treatment, except for LysoPE(22:6). Increased LysoPE(22:1) concentration was positively correlated with cognitive improvement in patients. Baseline LysoPE(16:1) was a predictor for cognitive improvement after OLA monotherapy. Further regression analyses, after controlling for confounders, confirmed all these associations found in this study. Conclusion Our study provides preliminary evidence for the role of LysoPE in cognitive improvement after OLA treatment in patients with first-episode drug-naïve SCZ.