Monoamine Oxidase in Schizophrenia

Abstract

To the Editor: The existence of biologic markers that might distinguish various psychiatric illnesses is currently being avidly pursued by many investigators. Reports from various investigators presenting conflicting findings are common.The article by Potkin and his co-workers in the January 12 issue of the Journal stating that platelet monoamine oxidase activity in chronic paranoid schizophrenia is significantly lower than that in chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia has now appeared almost simultaneously with an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry* stating that no difference was found in this variable between two comparably diagnosed groups.These two articles are distinguished by the . . .