A multidimensional approach to analysis of cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amines in schizophrenia: II. Correlations with psychopathology.
As part of a multidimensional study of cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amine metabolites in schizophrenia, the relationship between neurochemical measures and psychopathology assessed using the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale (PSAS) was analyzed. In a group of 20 unmedicated patients, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was a predictor of symptom severity in a stepwise multiple regression model. Values of 3-hydroxykynurenine and metanephrine in the unmedicated state predicted clinical response in a stepwise multiple regression model, as measured by improvement in PSAS mean item score following 6 weeks on a standard dose of neuroleptic. In a subgroup of 14 patients in whom both off- and on-medication concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amines and metabolites were measured, change in 3-hydroxykynurenine predicted clinical outcome in a multiple regression model. These findings point toward the need to examine the role of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Issa
F
F
Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, DC 20032.
Kirch
D G
DG
Gerhardt
G A
GA
Bartko
J J
JJ
Suddath
R L
RL
Freedman
R
R
Wyatt
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D012701:Serotonin; D007737:Kynurenine; D014443:Tyrosine; D014364:Tryptophan; D006220:Haloperidol; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine