title: Down-regulation of central dopamine receptors in schizophrenia.
abstract: CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) levels reflecting central dopamine release and apomorphine-stimulated human growth hormone (HGH) secretion reflecting central dopamine receptor activity were concomitantly determined in 20 schizophrenic patients. There was a strong negative correlation between HVA and HGH levels: high dopamine release was associated with lower HGH responses to dopamine receptor activation by apomorphine. Studies are reviewed which suggest that the presently observed relationship reflects release-mediated down-regulation of central D2 receptors, the dopamine receptor subtype associated with the antipsychotic properties of neuroleptic medication.
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Zemlan
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hitzemann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirschowitz
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Garver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D013006:Growth Hormone; D001058:Apomorphine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid