Discovery of biological markers for schizophrenia based on metabolomics: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09

Discovery of biological markers for schizophrenia based on metabolomics: a systematic review

Yao et al., 2025 | Front Psychiatry | Systematic Review

Citation

Yao Gaolei, Zeng Jingchun, ... Lu Liming. Discovery of biological markers for schizophrenia based on metabolomics: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry. 2025;16:1540260. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1540260

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: To discover biomarkers for schizophrenia (SCZ) at the metabolomics level, we registered this systematic review (CRD42024572133 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/home)) including 56 qualified articles, and we identified the characteristics of metabolites, metabolite combinations, and metabolic pathways associated with SCZ. RESULTS: Our findings showed that decreased arachidonic acid, arginine, and aspartate levels, and the increased levels of glucose 6-phosphate and glycylglycine were associated with the onset of SCZ. Metabolites such as carnitine and methionine sulfoxide not only helped to identify SCZ in Miao patients, but also were different between Miao patients and Han patients. The decrease in benzoic acid and betaine and the increase in creatine were the notable metabolic characteristics of first-episode schizophrenia (FESCZ). The metabolite combination formed by metabolites such as methylamine, dimethylamine and other metabolites had the best diagnostic effect. Arginine and proline metabolism and arginine biosynthesis had a clear advantage in identifying SCZ and acute SCZ. Butanoate metabolism played an important role in identifying SCZ, toxoplasma infection and SCZ comorbidity. Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids was also significantly enriched in the diagnosis and treatment of SCZ. DISCUSSION: This study summarizes the current progress in clinical metabolomic research related to SCZ, deepens understanding of the pathogenesis of SCZ, and lays a foundation for subsequent research on SCZ-related metabolites. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/home, identifier CRD42024572133.

Key Findings

Our findings showed that decreased arachidonic acid, arginine, and aspartate levels, and the increased levels of glucose 6-phosphate and glycylglycine were associated with the onset of SCZ. Metabolites such as carnitine and methionine sulfoxide not only helped to identify SCZ in Miao patients, but also were different between Miao patients and Han patients. The decrease in benzoic acid and betaine and the increase in creatine were the notable metabolic characteristics of first-episode schizophren

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • No MeSH terms indexed

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09