Low prolactin levels in cerebrospinal fluid: an after effect of lobotomy in chronic schizophrenia.
In order to elucidate the interplay of prolactin and dopamine in schizophrenia, base-line levels of prolactin were assayed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of chronic schizophrenic patients with or without lobotomy. Cental and cortical atrophy and significantly lowered CSF prolactin levels were found in lobotomized patients in comparison to equally neuroleptic-treated non-lobotomized patients. The mean CSF prolactin level in the female patients was significantly higher than in the male patients. This study did not support the 'dopamine hypothesis' of schizophrenia, since CSF prolactin levels did not correlate with schizophrenic symptoms. The brain atrophy blocked completely the expected elevation of CSF prolactin levels induced by neuroleptics.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011612:Psychosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000601:surgery; D012737:Sex Factors
D011388:Prolactin