Alpha-adrenergic receptors and cyclic AMP production in a group of schizophrenic patients.

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor function was measured in platelets from chronic schizophrenic patients and normal controls. The number of alpha 2-receptors was greater in patients' platelets, and the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) production lower, when compared with the normal controls. The changes measured may occur only in the platelet, but if central nervous system neurons share with platelets these changes, one might speculate that an increase in the number of alpha 2-receptors and a decrease in cAMP production may relate to the psychopathology of schizophrenia.