Dopamine related hormone levels in acute schizophrenia: (a study of 84 patients)

The functional significance of hypothalams-pituitary axis as a neurohormonal link between endocrine glands and target organs is well established. It has also been demonstrated that three hormones of anterior pituitary viz. Prolactin (PRL), Lutenising hormone (LH) and Growth hormone (GH) have definite link with Dopamine (DA), the latter being implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Radio immune assay technique was employed in estimation. Significantly low PRL level was found in majority of cases. However there was no significant corelation with effects of therapy or with L-DOPA administration. Similarly LH level was also found low indicating increased DA activity but the low level persisted even after therapy. GH level did not show any alteration in the patients, even when compared to different blood sugar levels and L-DOPA administration.