Decarboxylation of Radioactive DOPA by Erythrocytes in Schizophrenia

Abstract
The decarboxylation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (Dopa) to dopamine has been shown previously in animal and human tissues in bothin vitroandin vivostudies (Sourkes, 1966; Vogelet al., 1970). However, very little information is available as to whether or not the decarboxylation of Dopa occurs in human red blood cells (RBC). In the present experiment we demonstrated this change in RBC from normals and from schizophrenics. An ionization chamber method was used for an instantaneous and continuous measurement of14CO2production from DL-dopa-carboxyl-14C by RBCin vitro.

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