Reduced monoamine oxidase activity in platelets: A possible genetic marker for vulnerability to schizophrenia

R. J. Wyatt, D. L. Murphy, R. Belmaker, S. Cohen, C. H. Donnelly, W. Pollin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

184 Scopus citations

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase activity in blood platelets was measured, with [ 14C]tryptamine as substrate, in 13 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia and in 23 normal volunteers. The monoamine oxidase activity of both schizophrenic and nonschizophrenic co-twins was significantly lower than it was for the normals, and it was highly correlated between twins. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between a measure of the degree of the schizophrenic disorder and the monoamine oxidase activity. These data suggest, but do not prove, that reduced platelet monoamine oxidase activity may provide a genetic marker for vulnerability to schizophrenia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)916-918
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume179
Issue number4076
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1973
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reduced monoamine oxidase activity in platelets: A possible genetic marker for vulnerability to schizophrenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this