Schizophrenia and liver dysfunction.
It is suggested that a non-hepatocellular liver dysfunction, caused by the presence of a congenital or acquired portal-systemic shunt, constitutes a major predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In addition to the common occurrence of schizophrenic reactions observed in liver disease, this suggestion is supported by autoptic findings in addition to the fact that a considerable number of abnormal biochemical and biological phenomena are shared by patients suffering from schizophrenia and portal-systemic shunting. The frequency of abnormal portal-systemic shunts in schizophrenia is unknown. Recent advances in non-invasive Doppler-sonographic techniques should enable an elucidation of this question.
Krøll
J
J
Dept of Clinical Chemistry, Blekinge County Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden. krollj@danbbs.dk
D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism