A new prostaglandin disturbance syndrome in schizophrenia: delta-6-pyroluria.

At least two groups of schizophrenics will be described. One such group may have a mutant delta-6-desaturase which prefers the omega-6-series essential fatty acids over the omega-3 series essential fatty acids resulting in low cis-linoleic acid blood levels. This subgroup may be related to the low histamine type schizophrenia. In contrast, we describe the possible existence of another group of schizophrenic patients with elevated cis-linoleic acid blood levels, elevated fasting insulin levels, elevated EGOT and urinary kryptopyrolle termed "delta-6-pyroluria." The etiology of this group may be due to a block instead of a mutant delta-6-desaturase. The elevated fasting insulin level may be an attempt to overcome the malfunctioning pathway.