A hypothetical model of alterations in the CSF metabonome and proteome observed in the IPS and in the schizophrenia phase.

In the schizophrenia phase, patients have a distinct metabolic and protein/peptide profiles in CSF, i.e. increased glucose and VGF23-62 peptide levels and reduced lactate and transthyretin protein levels. During the IPS, key biochemical alterations may vary possibly in accordance with “mental-state” fluctuations between mental well being and schizophrenia-like states. During the first episode of overt psychosis, these alterations become more persistent and significant. For some IPS patients, their conditions may not deteriorate and their CSF proteomic and metabolic profiles may return to normal.