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Platelet enzyme abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disease
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science
|July 1, 1980
Summary
Blood platelets, containing neurotransmitters like dopamine, may model brain cells for neuropsychiatric diseases. Reduced platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in some patients supports the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Blood platelets store and release biogenic amines, acting similarly to neurotransmitter substances.
- Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) shares biochemical properties with mitochondrial MAO in brain tissue.
- Platelets are proposed as a research model for neuropsychiatric diseases due to these similarities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of platelets as a diagnostic and research model for neuropsychiatric conditions.
- To investigate the role of platelet MAO activity in diseases like schizophrenia and Huntington's disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of platelet biogenic amine content and MAO activity.
- Comparison of platelet MAO activity in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders versus controls.
- Review of existing literature on monoamine and enzyme kinetics in neurological diseases.
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased platelet MAO activity observed in some patients with schizophrenia and manic depressive psychoses.
- Potential link between central nervous system MAO inhibition, excess brain monoamines, and the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia.
- Controversial findings regarding monoamine and enzyme kinetics disturbances in hereditary ataxias and Huntington's disease.
Conclusions:
- Established platelet models for human neuropsychiatric diseases would be invaluable for preclinical diagnosis, therapy, and genetic counseling.
- Platelet MAO activity may serve as a biomarker for certain neuropsychiatric conditions.
- Further research is needed to validate findings and establish robust platelet models for neurological disorders.