title: Decreased platelet monoamine oxidase activity in female anorexia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study if platelet MAO activity, previously described as a serotonergic index, is modified in a sample of pure restrictive anorectic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five female patients with DSM-IV anorexia nervosa restricting type were studied and compared with 30 healthy female controls. Platelet MAO activity was measured by isotopic methods using C-14 benzylamine. Impulsive personality features were measured with specific rating scales and temperament studied with Cloninger's TCI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower (4.3+2.7 nmol/h/ 108 platelets) in the anorectic patients than in the control group (6.7+2.8) (P<0.01). Platelet MAO was inversely correlated with scores on impulsivity scales and positively correlated with the dimension 'persistence' of Cloninger's TCI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelet MAO activity is lowered in a group of patients with anorexia nervosa and might involve some dysfunction in the regulation of impulse control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Díaz-Marsá
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hollander
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: César
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saiz-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase