Lymphocyte 3H-spiroperidol binding in schizophrenia: preliminary findings.

Binding of 3H-spiroperidol was determined in ten (10) unmedicated recently admitted and four (4) drug holiday schizophrenic patients to determine whether it could serve as a peripheral marker of central dopaminergic hyperactivity. Preliminary results indicate significantly increased binding but there is considerable intersubject variability. Displacement studies, the lack of stereospecificity and the necessity of having an intact lymphocyte do not indicate that this is binding to a dopamine receptor but rather an uptake phenomenon.