Platelet 5-HT levels and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms

Neuropsychobiology. 1997;36(1):19-21. doi: 10.1159/000119354.

Abstract

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and platelet 5-HT concentrations were determined before dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in 80 male schizophrenic patients with predominantly positive or negative symptoms. Significant differences in platelet 5-HT and no differences in baseline plasma cortisol concentrations among schizophrenic suppressors and nonsuppressors were found. A similar rate of nonsuppression (56% positive and 53% negative schizophrenic patients) was detected. Platelet 5-HT, but not plasma cortisol concentrations, could be used to differentiate positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Delusions / diagnosis
  • Delusions / physiopathology
  • Delusions / psychology
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Dexamethasone
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hallucinations / diagnosis
  • Hallucinations / physiopathology
  • Hallucinations / psychology
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiopathology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Serotonin / blood*

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • Dexamethasone
  • Hydrocortisone