CSF neurotensin concentrations and antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Objective: The relationship between CSF neurotensin concentrations and measures of psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was examined before and after treatment with antipsychotic drugs.

Method: CSF neurotensin concentrations were measured in 42 drug-free patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. For 18 of these patients, CSF neurotensin was measure again after 4 weeks of antipsychotic treatment.

Results: Significantly higher levels of pretreatment psychopathology were observed in the patients with the lowest CSF neurotensin concentrations. Furthermore, improvements in overall psychopathology and, particularly, negative symptoms were correlated with increases in CSF neurotensin concentrations during treatment.

Conclusions: These findings provide further evidence for a role of neurotensin the pathophysiology of psychosis and in the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs.