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Plasma opioid levels: a possible marker of neurotransmitter impairments in schizophrenia

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Etiopathogenetic Hypotheses of Schizophrenia

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Abstract

The data on the periferal secretion of opioid peptides in schizophrenia are contradictory.Normal, increased or decreased plasma levels of opioid-like material or beta-endorphin(β-EP) have been reported(1–10). The conflicting results may be due to methodological factors, including differences in patient selection, the type of assay used to measure the peptides, the possible interference of previous pharmacological treatments. The meaning of the abnormalities observed is even more controversial. It has been suggested that an altered peripheral opioid secretion may be the expression of a generalized phenomenon representing one of the possible causes of the mental disorder.Data on the opioid-like material levels in the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).which should better reflect brain secretion of the substance, are also contradictory Again, low, normal or high levels have been reported, with CSF and plasma values sometimes concordant and sometimes not(1–4,9,11–26).It been suggested that CSF and plasma levels of opioids may be discordant because blood values mainly reflect the pituitary and CSF the brain secretion,the two pools being possibly subjected to different regulatory mechanisms and having different methabolic pathways.

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Authors
  1. F. Brambilla
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  2. F. Facchinetti
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  3. F. Petraglia
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  4. A. R. Genazzani
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, Milan University, Policlinico - Pad. Guardia II, via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy

    C. L. Cazzullo , G. Invernizzi , E. Sacchetti  & A. Vita , ,  & 

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© 1987 MTP Press Limited

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Brambilla, F., Facchinetti, F., Petraglia, F., Genazzani, A.R. (1987). Plasma opioid levels: a possible marker of neurotransmitter impairments in schizophrenia. In: Cazzullo, C.L., Invernizzi, G., Sacchetti, E., Vita, A. (eds) Etiopathogenetic Hypotheses of Schizophrenia. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3207-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3207-4_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7939-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3207-4

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