A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME IN NEUROLEPTIC-TREATED SCHIZOPHRENIA

1. The aim of the study was to replicate our earlier finding of elevat ed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in ne uroleptic-treated schizophrenia and to elucidate the correlations betw een CSF ACE, neuroleptic treatment, and psychotic symptoms in a longit udinal study. 2. Levels of ACE were measured in CSF and serum from 9 a cutely psychotic schizophrenic patients at two separate points of time ; within a few days of admission and at follow-up after 3-4 weeks. CSF ACE was also determined from 9 healthy controls. 3. The schizophrenic patients showed non-significantly higher levels of CSF ACE than the c ontrols. Although a significant clinical improvement was observed and the neuroleptic medication was reduced during the follow-up period, th ere were no significant differences in serum or CSF ACE between the tw o observation points in the schizophrenia group.