title: Association of levels of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase with specific psychiatric symptoms in bipolar patients.
abstract: The levels of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urine from 35 patients with bipolar affective disorder were compared with scores for the 90 items (symptoms) of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90). There were significant negative correlations between NAG levels and 23 of the SCL-90 variables (symptoms). These symptoms could be grouped into the following categories: anxiety, unusual or psychotic thinking, suicidal thinking, dysphoria, irritability, nausea, headaches, memory problems, and loss of interest. Serotonin abnormalities may play a role in the production of many of these symptoms. The hypothesis that NAG could be a marker for a serotonin activity is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Garvey
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noel
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012701:Serotonin; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase