Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in alcoholism subtypes: relationship to personality traits and executive functions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to compare alcoholic subtypes (type 1 versus type 2) with regard to platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. A possible relationship between enzyme activity, personality traits and executive functions was also investigated.


METHODS
Seventeen type 1 and 16 type 2 in-patient male chronic alcoholic patients and 17 healthy male volunteers were included in the study. The personality traits were investigated by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Executive functions were assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).


RESULTS
When compared to the healthy subjects, platelet MAO activity was reduced in both alcoholic groups. The enzyme activity of the type 2 group was significantly lower than that of type 1 patients. Both groups of alcoholic patients also displayed impairment in executive functions. The comparison of the MMPI-2 scores of the study groups revealed that type 2 alcoholics had more severe psychopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support previous evidence suggesting that platelet MAO activity is a useful biochemical measure for the subtyping of alcoholics.
Demir
Başaran
B
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
Uçar
Gülberk
G
Uluğ
Berna
B
Ulusoy
Semra
S
Sevinç
Irem
I
Batur
Senar
S
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology