title: Effects of acute metabolic stress on the dopaminergic and pituitary-adrenal axis activity in patients with schizophrenia, their unaffected siblings and controls.
abstract: A genetically mediated abnormal sensitivity to stress is thought to play a role in the onset, exacerbation and relapse of schizophrenia. In a double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, peak increases in plasma ACTH (Delta ACTH) and homovanillic-acid, a dopamine metabolite, (Delta HVA) following exposure to a metabolic stressor(2DG) were studied in unaffected siblings of patients with schizophrenia (n=15), their patient relatives (n=15) and healthy controls (n=14). Siblings showed a stress response (both Delta ACTH and Delta HVA) that was significantly greater compared to controls and significantly less pronounced compared to patients. The results suggest that the genetic risk for schizophrenia may be characterized by an enhanced sensitivity to stress.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Lyon, F-69003, France; Université Lyon 1, Lyon, EA4166; CH Le Vinatier, Bron, F-69677, France. jerome.brunelin@ch-le-vinatier.fr
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brunelin
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: d'Amato
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Os
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cochet
authors.forename: Marie-Françoise
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Suaud-Chagny
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saoud
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D035061:Control Groups; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010919:Placebos; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003847:Deoxyglucose; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid