Prostaglandin E1 suppression of platelet aggregation response in schizophrenia

The inhibitory effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the platelet aggregation response (PAR) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in 103 schizophrenics, 55 patients with other mental disorders, and 71 controls were examined. The three groups did not differ in PAR to ADP. However, schizophrenic patients, especially in the acute state, showed a significant reduction in the inhibitory effects of PGE1 on PAR compared to the other two groups. These results suggest PGE1 hyposensitivity exists in some schizophrenic patients, which may result from PGE1 deficiency. As clinical characteristics of the subgroup showing platelet PGE1 subsensitivity, relatively successful heterosexual relations, less anergia, and a more severe activation factor on BPRS were identified. Furthermore, the relationship between platelet sensitivity to PGE1 and brain morphology, using magnetic resonance imaging on 39 male schizophrenics was examined. Of 11 parameters obtained from MRI measurements, only callosum: brain ratio showed a significant negative correlation with a platelet sensitivity to PGE1. The current study suggested existence of a subgroup of schizophrenia having platelet hyposensitivity and a definite clinical feature as state markers and small corpus callosum as a trait marker.