Incorporation of 14C-arachidonic acid into platelet phospholipids of untreated patients with schizophreniform or schizophrenic disorders.
The incorporation rate of 14C-labeled arachidonic acid (14C-AA) into membrane phospholipids was measured in a group of untreated (greater than 6 months) psychiatric patients (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 31). Platelets from controls and from patients with schizophrenia (n = 10), schizophreniform disorder (n = 11), schizoaffective disorder (n = 6), major depression (n = 2), or an atypical psychosis (n = 4), diagnosed according to DSM-III, were incubated with 14C-AA. Platelets from patients with a schizophreniform and a schizoaffective disorder incorporated greater than 50% less 14C-AA than the platelets from controls. The incorporation rates of platelets from schizophrenic patients were slightly (18%), but not significantly, reduced compared to controls. Characterization of variables affecting arachidonic acid and phospholipid metabolism may be helpful in studies focused on the assessment of first-episode psychotic patients and in long-term outcome studies.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010743:Phospholipids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid