PLASMA 3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYPHENYLGLYCOL AND HOMOVANILLIC-ACID MEASUREMENTS IN DEFICIT AND NONDEFICIT FORMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: Discrepancies in the biochemical research on negative symp toms in schizophrenia may be ascribed to the lack of differentiation i nto primary and secondary negative symptoms. We have used Carpenter's criteria to define the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia as the presen ce of enduring and primary negative symptoms and measured catecholamin ergic parameters in deficit as compared with nondeficit schizophrenics . Methods: We have investigated plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) and 3- methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (pMHPG) concentrations in 34 DSM-III-R n euroleptic-treated schizophrenic patients who were classified into def icit (n = 14) and nondeficit (n = 20) forms of schizophrenia. AIL thes e patients were in a stable clinical and therapeutic status for the pr eceding 12 months. Results: The 14 deficit schizophrenic patients had lower plasma levels of pHVA and higher plasma concentrations of pMHPG from 9 AM to 12 AM as compared with the 20 nondeficit schizophrenic pa tients. The two groups did not differ on any demographic, therapeutic, or clinical variable considered. Conclusions: Our data are consistent with the postulated distinct pathophysiological basis for the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia and suggest that opposite alterations in th e pHVA or pMHPG levels may reflect specific changes in norndrenergic a nd dopaminergic functions in these deficit patients. (C) 1998 Society of Biological Psychiatry.