Relation of CSF neurotensin concentrations to symptoms and drug response of psychotic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated the putative endogenous antipsychotic neurotensin in relation to both psychotic symptoms and patterns of response during treatment with an antipsychotic drug.


METHODS
Twenty recently admitted patients with mood-incongruent psychoses underwent 1) interviews with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for diagnostic evaluation and symptom profiles, 2) drug-free baseline measurements of CSF neurotensin and homovanillic acid, and 3) close monitoring of a therapeutic trial of haloperidol to determine latency of antipsychotic response.


RESULTS
A relative deficiency in CSF neurotensin was found in a subgroup of psychotic women whose clinical response to haloperidol was delayed for 11 to 35 days after initiation of the neuroleptic. These patients had greater thought disorder, delusions-hallucinations, behavioral disorganization, and impaired functioning than did psychotic patients with higher CSF concentrations of neurotensin. Neurotensin concentrations increased during treatment with haloperidol.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides further evidence that there is diminished availability of neurotensin in some psychotic patients, with increases in neurotensin early in neuroleptic treatment. Exploration of neurotensin receptor agonists as a potentially novel class of antipsychotic compounds is suggested.
Garver
D L
DL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Bissette
G
G
Yao
J K
JK
Nemeroff
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors
D009496:Neurotensin; D008094:Lithium; D006220:Haloperidol; D006719:Homovanillic Acid