Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T22:38:20.242Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Enhancement of the Prolactin Response to d-Fenfluramine in Drug-Naive Schizophrenic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Kathryn M. Abel ,
Veronica O'Keane  and
Robin M. Murray
Kathryn M. Abel*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry
Veronica O'Keane
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB4 2QQ
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College Hospital, and Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr K. M. Abel, Institute of Psychiatry, 103 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

We wished to investigate central serotonergic function in untreated schizophrenia.

Method

Thirteen drug-naive, DSM–III–R schizophrenic patients were compared with sex, race, age, weight and menstrual phase matched controls. Plasma prolactin and cortisol responses to a specific serotonergic probe, d-fenfluramine, were measured along with BPRS ratings.

Results

Prolactin responses were enhanced in schizophrenic patients compared to controls (P < 0.05) and were correlated positively with BPRS items for depression, anxiety and guilt. Baseline cortisol was also raised in those with schizophrenia (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Central serotonergic tone may be raised in acute, drug-naive schizophrenia and may be associated with the presence of affective symptomatology.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 1 , January 1996 , pp. 57 - 60
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Press (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn, revised) (DSM–III–R). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Bleich, A., Brown, S-L., Kahn, R., et al (1988) The role of serotonin in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 14, 297–315.Google Scholar
Ceulemans, D. L. S., Gelders, Y. C., Hoppenbrouwers, M-L. J. A., et al (1985) Effect of serotonin antagonism in schizophrenia: A pilot study with setoperone. Psychopharmacology, 85, 329–332.Google Scholar
Cowen, P. J., Gadhri, H., Gosden, B., et al (1985) Responses of prolactin and growth hormone to L-tryptophan infusion. Effects in normal subjects and schizophrenic patients receiving neuroleptics. Psychopharmacology, 86, 164–169.Google Scholar
Csernansky, J. G., Wrona, C. T., Bardgett, M. E., et al (1993) Subcortical dopamine and serotonin turnover during acute and subchronic administration of typical and atypical neuroleptics. Psychopharmacology, 110, 145–151.Google Scholar
Duinkerke, S. J., Botter, P. A., Jansen, A. A. I., et al (1993) Ritanserin, a selective 5-HT2/1c antagonist, and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 163, 451–455.Google Scholar
Feeney, S., Goodall, E. & Silverstone, T. (1993) The prolactin response to d- and l- fenfluramine and to d-amphetamine in human subjects. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 8, 49–54.Google Scholar
Goodall, E. M., Cowen, P. J., Franklin, M., et al (1993) Ritanserin attenuates anorectic, endocrine and thermic response to d-fenfluramine in human volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 112, 461–466.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Iqbal, N. & van Praag, H. M. (1995) The role of serotonin in schizophrenia. In Advances in the Neurobiology of Schizophrenia (ed. Den Boer, J. A.). New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Krystal, J. H., Seibyl, J. P., Price, L., et al (1993) m-Chlorophenyl-piperazine effects in neuroleptic-free schizophrenic patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 624–635.Google Scholar
O'Keane, V. & Dinan, T. G. (1991) Prolactin and cortisol responses to d-Fenfluramine in major depression: Evidence for diminished responsibility of central serotonergic function. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 1009–1015.Google Scholar
Schmidt, C. J., Kehne, J. H., Carr, A. A., et al (1993) Contribution of serotonin neurotoxins to understanding psychiatric disorders: The role of 5HT2 receptors in schizophrenia and antipsychotic activity. International Clinical Psychopharmacololgy, 8(suppl. 2), 25–32.Google Scholar
Ugedo, L., Grenhoff, J. & Svensson, T. H. (1989) Ritanserin, a 5HT2 receptor antagonist, activates midbrain dopamine neurons by blocking serotonergic inhibition. Psychopharmacology, 98, 45–50.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.