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Monoamine Oxidase Activity: A Genetic Marker of Schizophrenia?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

F. Owen ,
A. Pauline Ridges  and
I. B. Cookson
F. Owen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Liverpool, Great Britain
A. Pauline Ridges*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Liverpool, Great Britain
I. B. Cookson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Liverpool, Great Britain
*
Department of Psychiatry, Life Science Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, Great Britain

Abstract

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The results of pilot studies of the activities of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-0-methyl transferase (COMT) in the blood of selected schizophrenics and the families of schizophrenics is presented.

No statistically significant difference was found between the blood COMT levels of 21 control subjects and 26 schizophrenics, whereas the values found for platelet MAO activity were significantly lower for the schizophrenic group than for the control group.

In one acutely disturbed first-admission schizophrenic the platelet MAO activity increased to a normal level in parallel with the clinical improvement, whereas in the relapsing schizophrenics the platelet MAO activity remained at its initial level although the clinical picture improved. No consistent findings with regard to the platelet MAO activity emerged from the study of 3 families having a history of schizophrenia.

Type
8. Free Contributions: Fourth Group
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 23 , supplement S1 , January 1974 , pp. 371 - 376
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1974

References

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