Peripheral Neutrophils Forge C4A Link to Schizophrenia

Stanford researchers find neutrophils actively produce C4A, a key schizophrenia risk protein, and in patients these cells pump out more C4A while rapid activation (C4-ana) occurs in plasma. The work links a peripheral immune process to brain synaptic pruning linked to schizophrenia, suggesting blood-based diagnostics and therapies that target the periphery rather than the brain. Clozapine’s neutrophil-depleting effects highlight the need for safer, targeted treatments.