Am J Psychiatry 1979; 136:672-674
Copyright © 1979 by American Psychiatric Association
Amino acids in bipolar affective disorders: increased glycine levels in erythrocytes
S Rosenblatt, GE Gaull, JD Chanley, JS Rosenthal, H Smith and L Sarkozi
The authors measured the concentrations of 20 amino acids in the
erythrocytes and plasma of 13 female bipolar patients and 10 female normal
controls. The concentration of glycine in the erythrocyte was significantly
elevated in the patient group. No differences were present in the plasma.
Preliminary findings indicate that the high glycine levels were present in
patients who were depressed, manic, or in remission and were unaffected by
electroshock therapy.
