A comparison of plasma homovanillic acid concentrations in schizophrenic patients and normal controls.
Plasma homovanillic acid concentrations, a potential index of central dopamine turnover, were examined in normal control subjects and chronic schizophrenic patients over a 12-hour period, including the period of sleep. Plasma homovanillic acid concentrations were lower in schizophrenic patients compared with normal controls at all times; however, within the group of schizophrenics, the more symptomatic patients had higher plasma homovanillic acid concentrations than the less severely ill patients. These data are consistent with a more complex role of dopamine in schizophrenia than was previously conceptualized.
Davidson
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Bronx, NY.
Davis
K L
KL
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid