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Monoamine Oxidase in Chronic Schizophrenia

Studies of Hormonal and other Factors affecting Enzyme Activity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Dennis L. Murphy ,
Robert Belmaker ,
William T. Carpenter  and
Richard J. Wyatt
Dennis L. Murphy
Affiliation:
Section on Clinical Neuropharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Clinical Center, Bldg 10/3S229, Bethesda, Maryland 20014
Robert Belmaker
Affiliation:
The Department of Research, Jerusalem Mental Health Centre, Ezrat Nashim, Jerusalem, Israel
William T. Carpenter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Richard J. Wyatt
Affiliation:
Division of Special Mental Health Research, National Institute of Mental Health, St Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC
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Summary

Reported reductions in the activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) in chronic schizophrenic patients might be contributed to by alterations in hormones, platelet numbers or other non-specific factors thought to affect enzyme activity. In this study, MAO activity in 27 patients with chronic schizophrenia was measured, using benzylamine as the substrate in an assay based on platelet counts instead of platelet protein, and was found to be markedly lower than mean MAO activity in 375 normal controls. These results were similar to those previously reported with tryptamine as a substrate for the enzyme. Serum testosterone, triiodothyronine, iron and iron-binding capacity were within normal ranges in individuals with reduced MAO activity, and none of these measurements was significantly correlated with MAO activities. Platelet MAO activity remained stable over time in patients and controls.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 130 , Issue 2 , February 1977 , pp. 151 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists 1977 

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