title: MAO activity, csf amine metabolites, and drug-free improvement in schizophrenia.
abstract: Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid were compared in 22 schizophrenic patients, 8 of whom improved during a 30-day drug-free period. CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid did not distinguish between drug-free improvers and nonimprovers. However, drug-free improvers had lower platelet MAO activities than did normal controls. The authors suggest that looking at clinical variables in patients with low MAO activity might provide a means of biologically subtyping schizophrenic patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010648:Phenylacetates; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D006719:Homovanillic Acid