title: Persistence of cyclicity of the plasma dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, in neuroleptic treated schizophrenic patients.
abstract: The dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, decreases in concentration in plasma between 8:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. In patients with schizophrenia this cyclic change is attenuated by chronic neuroleptic treatment; however, if the 8 A.M. dose of neuroleptic is omitted, the decrease in level occurs. Presuming that neuroleptics attenuate the decline through a receptor mediated compensatory increase in dopamine release, it would appear that receptors are not fully occupied by neuroleptics even at therapeutically effective doses. The usual morning decrease in plasma cortisol levels was unaffected by neuroleptics.
authors.affiliation: Direccion de Investigacion Neuroquimica, Servicio Vasco de Salud, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davila
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zumarraga
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Andia
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Friedhoff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid