Neurotensin (NT) concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were
measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay in psychiatric
patients and age- and sex-matched normal controls. No increase in CSF NT
concentrations was observed after antipsychotic drug treatment. CSF NT
concentrations were significantly lower in one group of schizophrenic
subjects. NT concentrations were unaltered in patients with depression,
anorexia/bulimia, or premenstrual syndrome, and no rostral-caudal gradient
for NT in CSF was evident. NT concentrations were not related to age or
sex, and probenecid treatment did not alter CSF NT concentrations. Finally
CSF NT concentrations were unaltered in paranoid schizophrenic subjects.
These findings confirm and extend previous studies of CSF NT that showed
certain patients with schizophrenia, nonparanoid type, have reduced CSF
concentrations of this tridecapeptide.Abstract Teaser