Psychotic disorders and gonadal function: evidence supporting the oestrogen hypothesis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to further evaluate the oestrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia, which postulates low oestradiol levels to be a risk factor for these disorders. A possible influence of neuroleptic-induced hyperprolactinaemia was to be addressed.


METHODS
Sex hormones were measured and cycle phase assessed in 50 acutely psychotic women on admission and for four consecutive weeks as well as in three control groups.


RESULTS
Psychotic women were more likely to be admitted during a low oestrogen phase of their cycle and exhibited markedly reduced oestradiol levels, compared with 23 healthy controls, as well as 50 women suffering from other psychiatric disorders. Oestradiol variability was reduced over the menstrual cycle in women suffering from psychotic disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the oestrogen hypothesis. Hyperprolactinaemia due to neuroleptic treatment does not appear to account for the findings.
Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. t.j.huber@gmx.de
T J
TJ
Huber
M
M
Borsutzky
U
U
Schneider
H M
HM
Emrich
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone