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Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in schizophrenic patients
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Schizophrenia patients often exhibit low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, a marker potentially linked to illness severity and hallucinations. This finding suggests MAO activity may decline during active psychotic processes in schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme involved in neurotransmitter metabolism.
- Altered MAO activity has been implicated in various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate platelet MAO activity in schizophrenic patients during a controlled drug trial.
- To explore the relationship between low platelet MAO activity and clinical characteristics in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week double-blind trial involving 29 inpatients and 26 outpatients with schizophrenia.
- Administration of chlorpromazine with imipramine or thiothixene with placebo.
- Measurement of platelet MAO activity and assessment of behavioral and symptom profiles.
Main Results:
- Significantly more schizophrenic patients exhibited low platelet MAO activity compared to normal controls after 4 weeks.
- Low MAO activity in outpatients correlated with increased behavioral activity and reduced social apathy.
- Inpatients with low MAO activity showed greater illness severity and symptom burden.
- Hallucinations were more frequent in patients with low platelet MAO activity.
Conclusions:
- Low platelet MAO activity is prevalent in a subset of schizophrenic patients.
- Platelet MAO activity may serve as a potential biomarker for specific clinical features in schizophrenia.
- A decline in platelet MAO activity could be associated with the active psychotic process in schizophrenia.