The authors measured CSF norepinephrine concentrations in drug-free
schizophrenic patients with and without probenecid administration and in
drug-free normal control subjects. Schizophrenic patients had significantly
higher baseline norepinephrine values. The dopamine metabolite homovanillic
acid correlated significantly with norepinephrine. During chronic treatment
with the neuroleptic pimozide, patients' norepinephrine levels were
significantly decreased. The pimozide-induced decrease in norepinephrine,
as well as the percent decrease, correlated significantly with the
patients' decrease in global psychosis. These data are consistent with
recent reports of elevated concentrations of norepinephrine in specific
brain areas of schizophrenic patients, and they support a role for
norepinephrine metabolism in the pharmacological effects of antipsychotic
drugs.Abstract Teaser