title: Plasma amine metabolites before and after withdrawal from neuroleptic treatment in chronic schizophrenic inpatients.
abstract: Plasma catecholamine metabolites were measured in paired blood samples from 22 subjects with chronic schizophrenia. One sample was drawn while patients were on a stable dose of neuroleptic medication; the second was drawn 6 weeks after discontinuation of medication. In comparison with baseline values during neuroleptic treatment, there was a significant increase in the plasma concentration of the norepinephrine metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and a trend toward an increase in the plasma concentration of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in the medication-free subjects. There were no significant correlations between plasma MHPG or HVA concentrations and the corresponding ratings of psychopathology for these patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002395:Catecholamines; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006719:Homovanillic Acid