POSTMORTEM NEUROCHEMICAL STUDIES IN CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA

ABSTRACT Catecholamines and some of their metabolites were measured in brain regions from autopsied chronic schizophrenics and controls. No significant changes in dopamine or its metabolites were found. Norepinephrine concentrations were increased in the nucleus accumbens of chronic paranoid schizophrenics relative to chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics, other psychiatric patients and normals. Conjugated 3-methoxy, 4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was also increased in paranoid schizophrenics in the nucleus accumbens relative to normals. Increased norepinephrine and free MHPG in the hypothalamus of schizophrenics were found in comparison with normals. Increased tritiated ( 3 H) neuroleptic binding was found in schizophrenic caudate nuclei relative to normals. No other differences between patients and controls in other binding sites or between schizophrenic sub-types were demonstrated. Endogenous peptides (methionine-enkephalin, substance P, and neurotensin) were measured in several brain regions. In a small number of chronic undifferentiated schizophrenic patients, methionine-enkephalin and substance P concentrations in caudate nuclei were increased relative to chronic paranoid schizophrenics and normals. The number of subjects and pre-and postmortem variables, such as neuroleptic treatment and the difficulties inherent in sub-typing deceased patients, warrant cautious interpretations of the significance of these findings. Nevertheless, sub-typing chronic schizophrenia by phenomenology may yield more homogenous groups while providing a means for controlling treatment variables.