title: Neuropeptides in human brain--postmortem studies.
abstract: Four neuropeptides (substance P, methionine-enkephalin, neurotensin and cholecystokinin) were measured by radioimmunoassays in a number of brain regions of deceased patients with mental illnesses and controls. The most striking finding in these studies was that methionine-enkephalin concentrations in caudate nuclei of chronic paranoid schizophrenic patients were reduced relative to several control groups. Neuroleptics had no obvious effects on any of the four measured neuropeptides. These findings are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that methionine-enkephalin may be involved in some of the pathology of the schizophrenic syndrome.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iadarola
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govoni
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gillin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000032:analysis; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000032:analysis; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000032:analysis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D009496:Neurotensin; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D002766:Cholecystokinin