CSF neurotensin concentrations and antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between CSF neurotensin concentrations and measures of psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was examined before and after treatment with antipsychotic drugs.


METHODS
CSF neurotensin concentrations were measured in 42 drug-free patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. For 18 of these patients, CSF neurotensin was measure again after 4 weeks of antipsychotic treatment.


RESULTS
Significantly higher levels of pretreatment psychopathology were observed in the patients with the lowest CSF neurotensin concentrations. Furthermore, improvements in overall psychopathology and, particularly, negative symptoms were correlated with increases in CSF neurotensin concentrations during treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide further evidence for a role of neurotensin the pathophysiology of psychosis and in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs.
Sharma
R P
RP
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago 60612, USA.
Janicak
P G
PG
Bissette
G
G
Nemeroff
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000502:physiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009496:Neurotensin