Decreased plasma benzylamine oxidase in a subgroup of schizophrenia.
Plasma benzylamine oxidase (BzAO) activity was analysed in a group of 40 schizophrenic patients and compared with that of healthy controls. Although plasma BzAO was significantly decreased in schizophrenics as a whole, when patients were divided into type I (favourable course) and type II (poor course) it was found that the reduced BzAO activity was only observed in type I. Several clinical features were associated with a low BzAO level. The clinical and biological significance of the identification of a biochemical alteration in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients is discussed, and we suggest that the possibility of BzAO being a marker for prognosis in schizophrenia should be further investigated.
Vieira
R
R
Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitária, Hospital de Santa Maria, Portugal.
Azevedo
M
M
Polónio
P
P
Manso
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001595:Benzylamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000201:enzymology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D001595:Benzylamine Oxidase; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase