title: Plasma homovanillic acid and family history of psychotic disorders in bipolar I patients.
abstract: It has been suggested that the family history of psychotic disorders is useful in defining homogeneous groups of bipolar patients. The plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) concentrations have been related to the effect of antipsychotic treatment in psychotic patients. We have studied the influence of a positive family history of psychotic disorders both on the variation of pHVA levels and on the relation between pHVA concentrations and the clinical response to treatment. Clinical status and pHVA levels were assessed in 58 medication free patients before and after 4 weeks of treatment with olanzapine and lithium. Clinical improvement correlated positively with pHVA levels on the 28th day of treatment only in the patients having first degree relatives with psychotic disorders. The pHVA levels did not decrease after 28 days of treatment. Our results reinforce the idea that a positive family history of psychosis in psychotic bipolar disorders may constitute a good basis for sub-grouping these patients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación Neuroquímica, Hospital Psiquiátrico de Zamudio, Arteaga Auzoa No 45, E-48170 Zamudio, Vizcaya, Spain. mercedes.zumarragaortiz@osakidetza.net
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zumárraga
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dávila
authors.forename: Nieves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Basterreche
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arrue
authors.forename: Biotza
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goienetxea
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: González-Torres
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guimón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006719:Homovanillic Acid; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D000077152:Olanzapine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors