Serotonin and schizophrenia: correlations between serotonergic activity and schizophrenic motor behavior

Increased serotonergic activity in animals has been associated with a variety of stereotyped motor behaviors. In addition, serotonin facilitates brainstem, reticular, and spinal motor neuronal activity implicated in the expression of these behaviors. This report presents positive correlations between both peripheral (platelet serotonin levels) and central (cerebrospinal concentrations of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid) measures of serotonin metabolism and the symptom of peculiar or unusual mannerisms and posturing in schizophrenic patients. The findings are discussed in light of the animal behavioral correlates of increased serotonergic activity and the stereotyped affectomotor behavior seen in some schizophrenic patients.