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D3 dopamine receptor mRNA expression in lymphocytes: a peripheral marker for schizophrenia?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

J. van der Weide*
Affiliation:
St Jansdal Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Harderwijk, the Netherlands
L. S. W. Steijns
Affiliation:
St Jansdal Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Harderwijk, the Netherlands
M. A. M. van der Geld
Affiliation:
GGZ Meerkanten, Ermelo, the Netherlands
P. A. de Groot
Affiliation:
GGZ Meerkanten, Ermelo, the Netherlands
*
St Jansdal Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry, PO Box 138, 3840 AC Harderwijk, the Netherlands. Tel.: +31 341463807; Fax: +31 341435533; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background:

Identification of schizophrenia, a common neuropsychiatric disorder, is based on clinical examination. An easily measurable peripheral marker, which may enable a more rapid and more accurate diagnosis, is not available. A possible candidate is the D3 dopamine receptor on lymphocytes.

Objective:

The D3 receptor is investigated for its clinical significance as a marker for diagnosing schizophrenia.

Methods:

From eight schizophrenic patients and eight controls lymphocyte RNA was isolated. A semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out and the intensities of the specific D3 dopamine receptor bands of patients and controls were compared.

Results:

No difference could be seen between the intensities of the bands from patients and controls.

Conclusion:

An aberrant D3 dopamine receptor mRNA expression in lymphocytes of schizophrenics could not be demonstrated. This might be caused by down-regulation of D3 receptor production by antipsychotic drug treatment. At present, the D3 receptor seems to have no diagnostic value in schizophrenia.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Blackwell Munksgaard

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