Abstract
Plasma catecholamine metabolites were measured in paired blood samples from 22 subjects with chronic schizophrenia. One sample was drawn while patients were on a stable dose of neuroleptic medication; the second was drawn 6 weeks after discontinuation of medication. In comparison with baseline values during neuroleptic treatment, there was a significant increase in the plasma concentration of the norepinephrine metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and a trend toward an increase in the plasma concentration of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in the medication-free subjects. There were no significant correlations between plasma MHPG or HVA concentrations and the corresponding ratings of psychopathology for these patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 233-242 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Psychiatry research |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
- Schizophrenia
- homovanillic acid
- tardive dyskinesia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry