Decrease in red Blood Cell L-Tryptophan Uptake in Schizophrenic Patients: Possible Link With Loss of Impulse Control

This study was undertaken to assess the kinetic parameters of red blood cell L-tryptophan uptake in neuroleptic-free schizophrenic patients. The data were also examined in relation to impulse control & suicidal behaviour as these elementary psychological dimensions are thought to be associatd with a central serotonergic disturbance. 19 inpatients with schizophrenia & 19 healthy volunteers were studied. Mean Vmax value was found to be lower in patients who had attempted suicide than in patients who had not. No difference was observed when patients were subdivided on the basis of the violence of suicide attempts. Results suggest that the alteration in red blood cell L-tryptophan uptake is associated with loss of impulse control in patients with schizophrenia. (45 refs.)