CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) levels reflecting central dopamine release and apomorphine-stimulated human growth hormone (HGH) secretion reflecting central dopamine receptor activity were concomitantly determined in 20 schizophrenic patients. There was a strong negative correlation between HVA and HGH levels: high dopamine release was associated with lower HGH responses to dopamine receptor activation by apomorphine. Studies are reviewed which suggest that the presently observed relationship reflects release-mediated down-regulation of central D2 receptors, the dopamine receptor subtype associated with the antipsychotic properties of neuroleptic medication.
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Zemlan et al. (1985) studied this question.
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