title: Comparison of beta-endorphin and CGRP levels before and after treatment for severe schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Links between endorphins and dopaminergic transmission have not been fully explored in schizophrenia. Both endorphins excess and deficiency were postulated. CGRP is probably involved in dopaminergic transmission. The aim of this study was the evaluation of beta-endorphin (BE) and CGRP blood concentrations before and after treatment of severe schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients treated with various antipsychotics, with severe symptoms of schizophrenia (51 with positive symptoms, 19 with negative symptoms), 15 first-degree relatives, and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. BE and CGRP blood concentrations were measured during patients severe schizophrenia and in their stable mental state after treatment. The results were compared with relatives and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BE and CGRP concentrations in patients with negative symptoms were higher than in relatives and in controls. BE levels in patients with positive symptoms were lower than in patients with negative symptoms (P<0.0000) and controls (P<0.0006). No significant changes in CGRP concentration were found in patient samples. CGRP levels in these samples were independent of treatment, but they were significantly higher than in relatives and controls. After the treatment, BE level decreased in patients with negative symptoms (P<0.0001) and increased in patients with positive symptoms (P<0.0000). No differences in BE concentration between patients in stable mental state, their relatives, and controls were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective antipsychotic treatment results in "normalization" of BE level. Specific changes in BE concentration could be involved in dopaminergic transmission and related to some symptoms of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Healthy Aging Research Centre (HARC), Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urban-Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Healthy Aging Research Centre (HARC), Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Śmigielski
authors.affiliation: Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Healthy Aging Research Centre (HARC), Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strzelecki
keywords: CGRP; negative symptoms; neuroleptics; schizophrenia; β-endorphin