Co-distribution of sensory gating and impaired niacin flush response in the parents of schizophrenics

Complex illnesses may result from the interaction or addition of multiple f actors. We examined the familial co-distribution of two abnormalities commo n in schizophrenia: impaired auditory sensory gating and impaired flush res ponse to niacin. In ten families, the obligate carrier parent had sensory-g ating deficits, while eight of the ten parents without a family history of schizophrenia had impaired flush response. No parents had both deficits. Th e data are consistent with a theory suggesting the interaction of these two factors in some cases of schizophrenia. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.