Neuroendocrine function in schizophrenia

Endocrine parameters were studied in 64 male chronic hebephrenic schizophrenics. The results indicate deficiency of the pituitary-gonadal function, increased PRL responses to TRH stimulation, impaired GH responses to successive stimuli, impaired insulin-glucose metabolism, which is indicative of a hypothalamic noradrenaline deficiency. Treatment with catecholamine agonists improved the behavioural affective state in a small group of patients. Studies of dopamine-receptor sensitivity in a group of hebephrenics and paranoids revealed the existence of 2 genetically divided groups, the HLA negative and HLA positive, of which only the first showed signs of dopamine-receptor supersensitivity.