Preliminary studies on CSF gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in psychiatric patients before and during treatment with different psychotropic drugs

Abstract

1. 1. Measurements of CSF GABA levels were performed on different groups of psychiatric patients. 2. 2. Two different methods were used for determination of CSF GABA concentration: a) gaschromatography/ mass spectrometry and b) amino acid analysis with fluorescence detection. 3. 3. No difference in CSF GABA levels between control patients and untreated schizophrenic patients was seen. 4. 4. An increase of CSF GABA levels was found after 30 days of treatment with sulpiride and during chronic treatment with different neuroleptics for many years in long-stay hospitalized schizophrenic patients. 5. 5. In short-stay hospitalized schizophrenic patients after a period of about 6 weeks of treatment with different neuroleptics in combination with benzodiazepines and antiparkinsonian drugs a decrease of CSF GABA levels compared with control patients was observed. 6. 6. It is assumed that the increase of GABA in CSF could be indicative for a neuroleptic drug. The simultaneous administration of benzodiazepines and antiparkinsonian drugs might be responsible for the decrease in CSF GABA levels.