A MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH TO ANALYSIS OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID BIOGENIC-AMINES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA .2. CORRELATIONS WITH PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

As part of a multidimensional study of cerebrospinal fluid biogenic am ine metabolites in schizophrenia, the relationship between neurochemic al measures and psychopathology assessed using the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale (PSAS) was analyzed. In a group of 20 unmedicated pa tients, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was a predictor of symp tom severity in a stepwise multiple regression model. Values of 3-hydr oxykynurenine and metanephrine in the unmedicated state predicted clin ical response in a stepwise multiple regression model, as measured by improvement in PSAS mean item score following 6 weeks on a standard do se of neuroleptic. In a subgroup of 14 patients in whom both off- and on-medication concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amines an d metabolites were measured, change in 3-hydroxykynurenine predicted c linical outcome in a multiple regression model. These findings point t oward the need to examine the role of the kynurenine pathway of trypto phan metabolism in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.