RBC and plasma choline in neuroleptic-treated schizophrenic patients.
We measured red blood cell (RBC) choline and plasma choline concentrations in 27 chronic schizophrenic inpatients and 23 normal controls. Both blood choline measures had a significant test-retest reliability in patients whose neuroleptic status remained unchanged over 1 month. RBC choline concentration was significantly lower in patients medicated with neuroleptics and cogentin. Patients with a low RBC choline and a low RBC/plasma choline ratio were on significantly higher doses of medication and had higher scores on the hostility/suspiciousness subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. RBC choline increased when neuroleptics were discontinued. Blood choline measures were also compared among medication-free schizophrenic patients, inpatients with other diagnoses, and normal controls. No significant differences were seen among these groups for any choline measure, although the schizophrenic patients showed greater variability. Medication-free schizophrenic patients with such clinical factors as tardive dyskinesia and abnormalities on computed tomography contributed to this variability. Age was positively correlated with plasma choline.
Lawson
W B
WB
Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232.
Jeste
D V
DV
Hanin
I
I
Kopp
U
U
Wyatt
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002794:Choline / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D006220:Haloperidol; D002794:Choline