OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare levels of CSF
somatostatin (somatotropin release-inhibiting factor) in drug-free patients
with different major psychiatric disorders. METHOD: CSF somatostatin
concentrations were measured in 66 drug-free inpatients with Research
Diagnostic Criteria diagnoses of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder,
manic disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. RESULTS: In comparison with
both the patients with schizophrenia and the patients with schizoaffective
disorder, the manic patients had markedly elevated CSF somatostatin
concentrations. The depressed patients had significantly higher levels than
the schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Mania is associated with
relatively higher CSF somatostatin concentrations.Abstract Teaser