Alpha 1-antitrypsin types in schizophrenia.

The gene and phenotype frequencies of alpha 1-antitrypsin were studied in patients with (49) and without (92) a family history of schizophrenia. A significant difference with respect to phenotype (p less than 0.05) and gene (p less than 0.025) frequencies was found between the two groups of patients. Among patients with a family history of schizophrenia there was a significant increase of the M1 gene and a decrease of the M2 gene. There were no significant differences between schizophrenic patients and controls.