DOPAMINE-BETA-HYDROXYLASE IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (6) , 685-694
Abstract
The activity of dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase (DBH) in CSF from 59 psychiatric patients was analyzed by a highly sensitive radioenzymatic assay. There was no sex difference in DBH, but there was a significant positive correlation with age. Probenecid administration had no effect on CSF DBH. DBH in CSF correlated positively with the plasma enzyme. Among patients hospitalized for major depressive disorder, unipolar or bipolar, schizo-affective disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism or personality disorders, there were no significant between-group differences. Among the patients with bipolar affective disorder, DBH activity from manic patients was significantly lower than that from depressed or euthymic patients. The theory that the amount of DBH in CSF may serve as an indicator of central noradrenergic activity was discussed.