Platelet aggregation response in schizophrenia and prostaglandin E1.

Platelet aggregation response to various stimulants was examined in 18 unmedicated schizophrenic patients, 13 medicated patients, and 13 control subjects. Platelet aggregation response to epinephrine decreased only in unmedicated schizophrenic patients. Clinical improvement in seven patients after neuroleptic medication was significantly correlated with an increase in platelet aggregation response to arachidonic acid, and nonsignificantly to epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E1 on platelet aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate was investigated in seven unmedicated schizophrenic patients, six medicated patients, and eight controls. The inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E1 on platelet aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate was significantly reduced in all unmedicated schizophrenic patients. Neuroleptic medication had some effect in normalizing aberrant sensitivity to prostaglandin E1 in those patients, although acute medication induced an adverse reaction in the controls.