Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and homovanillic acid in spinal fluid of schizophrenics with brain atrophy

Science. 1983 May 27;220(4600):974-7. doi: 10.1126/science.6133351.

Abstract

Schizophrenic patients with high ventricle brain ratios and cortical brain atrophy, as shown by computerized tomography, had decreased spinal fluid concentrations of homovanillic acid and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity. These decreased cerebral spinal fluid concentrations in patients with brain atrophy support the proposal of disturbed noradrenaline and dopamine neurotransmission in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Atrophy
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenylacetates / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Rats
  • Schizophrenia / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Phenylacetates
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
  • Dopamine
  • Homovanillic Acid