The specificity of platelet glutamate receptor supersensitivity in psychotic disorders

Hypoglutamatergic function is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and supersensitivity of platelet NMDA receptors has been reported in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine the platelet glutamate receptor sensitivity in patients with schizophrenia (n=12), mania with psychotic features (n=10) and depression with psychotic features (n=10) and matched controls (n=12) in order to assess if this is a marker of schizophrenia or occurs in other psychotic conditions. Glutamate receptor sensitivity was assessed using the intracellular calcium response to glutamate measured with spectrofluorometry. The percentage response of the schizophrenic and depressed psychotic subjects to glutamate stimulation was significantly greater than control subjects (p<0.005). The mania with psychotic features group was not significantly different to controls. This data suggests that platelet glutamate receptors may be supersensitive in schizophrenia and depression with psychotic features. Furthermore, the platelet may be a possible peripheral marker of glutamate function in schizophrenia and depression with psychotic features.