The schizophrenia syndrome. Examples of biological tools for subclassification

Six biological variables-platelet monoamine oxidase activity, urine phenylethylamine concentration, brain norepinephrine concentration, abnormalities on computerized tomography, lateralization asymmetries, and the presence or absence of tardive dyskinesia-are used to discriminate possible biological groups of schizophrenic patients. All variables successfully subclassify patients, some into divisions consistent with phenomological, psychosocial, or biochemical descriptions or hypotheses of schizophrenia. None of the measures, however, has sufficiently stood the test of time to be of clinical utility.