Decreased plasma benzylamine oxidase in a subgroup of schizophrenia.

Abstract

Plasma benzylamine oxidase (BzAO) activity was analysed in a group of 40 schizophrenic patients and compared with that of healthy controls. Although plasma BzAO was significantly decreased in schizophrenics as a whole, when patients were divided into type I (favourable course) and type II (poor course) it was found that the reduced BzAO activity was only observed in type I. Several clinical features were associated with a low BzAO level. The clinical and biological significance of the identification of a biochemical alteration in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients is discussed, and we suggest that the possibility of BzAO being a marker for prognosis in schizophrenia should be further investigated.

• Authors: R Vieira, M Azevedo, P Polónio, C Manso
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 79 Issue 1 Pg. 83-8 (Jan 1989) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 2929385 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Benzylamine Oxidase
• Monoamine Oxidase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Benzylamine Oxidase (blood)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Monoamine Oxidase (blood)
• Schizophrenia (enzymology)
• Schizophrenic Psychology