SERUM DOPAMINE-BETA-HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY AND LATERAL VENTRICULAR SIZE IN AFFECTIVE-DISORDERS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (10) , 1395-1402
Abstract
A significant negative correlation between CSF DBH [dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase] activity and ventricular brain ratio (VBR) has been reported in schizophrenic patients. A significant negative correlation is reported between log serum DBH activity and VBR in 28 patients with major depression (r = -0.41, P = 0.04); this correlation was also negative (r = -0.15), but not significant, in 46 schizophrenics. Eight patients (5 schizophrenic, 3 affective disorder) with increased VBR had significantly lower serum DBH activity than the patients with normal VBR. The relationship between low CSF or serum DBH activity and increased VBR may be manifestations of the polygenetic vulnerability common to the major psychoses.

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