Reduced cyclic AMP production in the blood platelets from schizophrenic patients

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Abstract
.alpha.-Adrenergic receptor function was assessed in blood platelets from chronic schizophrenic patients and normal control subjects. The number of receptors was measured by the specific binding of the .alpha.-adrenergic antagonist [3H]dihydroergocryptine to the platelets. A physiological response of the platelets to agonist occupancy of the .alpha.-adrenergic receptors was measured by the norepinephrine inhibition of prostaglandin E1(PGE1)-stimulated cyclic [c] AMP production. cAMP production in male schizophrenic patients was lower than in normal male subjects. .alpha.-Adrenergic receptor function was similar in patients and normal control subjects of both sexes. Normal male subjects had about 1.5 times the number of .alpha.-adrenergic receptors as normal females and generated about 1.8 times the quantity of PGE1-stimulated cAMP.