Platelet monoamine oxidase in healthy subjects: the "biochemical high-risk paradigm" revisited

Activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) has repeatedly been reported to be associated with various forms of psychopathology. This investigation was designed to reexamine the "biochemical high-risk paradigm" developed by Buchsbaum et al. (1976). In 383 healthy students (193 males, 190 females) platelet MAO activity was measured. The 35 students with the lowest and 37 with the highest enzyme activities were then examined with three personality tests (16 PF of Cattell, Freiburger Persönlichkeitsinventar, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire). Furthermore, biographic data with respect to psychosocial problems were explored. There were no consistent differences between subjects with low or high MAO. Therefore, we could not confirm any correlation between psychopathology and platelet MAO in this study.