Incorporation of 14C-arachidonic acid into platelet phospholipids of untreated patients with schizophreniform or schizophrenic disorders

Abstract

The incorporation rate of 14C-labeled arachidonic acid ( 14C-AA) into membrane phospholipids was measured in a group of untreated (>6 months) psychiatric patients ( n=33) and healthy controls ( n=31). Platelets from controls and from patients with schizophrenia ( n=10), schizophreniform disorder ( n=11), schizoaffective disorder ( n=6), major depression ( n=2), or an atypical psychosis ( n=4), diagnosed according to DSM-III, were incubated with 14C-AA. Platelets from patients with a schizophreniform and a schizoaffective disorder incorporated >50% less 14C-AA than the platelets from controls. The incorporation rates of platelets from schizophrenic patients were slightly (18%), but not significantly, reduced compared to controls. Characterization of variables affecting arachidonic acid and phospholipid metabolism may be helpful in studies focused on the assessment of first-episode psychotic patients and in long-term outcome studies.