title: Enhancement of the prolactin response to d-fenfluramine in drug-naive schizophrenic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We wished to investigate central serotonergic function in untreated schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen drug-naive, DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients were compared with sex, race, age, weight and menstrual phase matched controls. Plasma prolactin and cortisol responses to a specific serotonergic probe, d-fenfluramine, were measured along with BPRS ratings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prolactin responses were enhanced in schizophrenic patients compared to controls (P < 0.05) and were correlated positively with BPRS items for depression, anxiety and guilt. Baseline cortisol was also raised in those with schizophrenia (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Central serotonergic tone may be raised in acute, drug-naive schizophrenia and may be associated with the presence of affective symptomatology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, London.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: O'Keane
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012016:Reference Values; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone