title: Plasma GABA levels in psychiatric illness.
abstract: In two separate studies, we have obtained plasma levels of GABA in 134 psychiatric patients and 22 normal controls. Patients with a unipolar affective disorder had levels significantly lower than control (n = 58) as did patients with alcoholism (n = 10). Patients with a bipolar affective disorder had levels significantly higher than control when manic (n = 28) and also when euthymic on lithium prophylaxis (n = 17), but levels in the control range when depressed (n = 4). Patients with schizophrenia demonstrated a high degree of variability in their levels of plasma GABA but were not statistically different from control (n = 36). Patients with unipolar depression who received a dexamethasone suppression test had no correlation between nonsuppression of cortisol secretion and plasma levels of GABA. Diagnostic and research implication of plasma GABA in psychiatric illness are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008094:Lithium