Summary
Levels of prolactin (PRL) were determined by radioimmunoassay in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from psychotic women before and during treatment with melperone 100 mg×3 (n=29) or thiothixene 10 mg×3 (n=34). Small amounts of PRL were found in the CSF of most patients before treatment. The level of PRL in CSF was about 20% of that in the plasma. Both drugs elevated PRL levels in CSF and plasma significantly. Thiothixene was more potent and also more long acting than melperone in this regard. For neither drug was there any marked tolerance to the effects within a 4 week period. The highest PRL level in CSF, 26 ng/ml, was found in a thiothixene treated patient.
Positive correlations were found between the contents of PRL in CSF and plasma before treatment. During thiothixene treatment there were also significant positive correlations between PRL levels in CSF and plasma. During melperone treatment this correlation was probably significant only after treatment for 4 weeks. Neither drug affected the levels of total protein in CSF. The results indicate that with the doses used thiothixene causes a more marked and long lasting blockade of central dopamine receptors controlling prolactin release. The study also demonstrated the versatility of using prolactin analyses of CSF and plasma as tools for quantitation of biochemical effects of neuroleptic drugs on the human central nervous system.
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Bjerkenstedt, L., Eneroth, P., Härnryd, C. et al. Effects of melperone and thiothixene on prolactin levels in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of psychotic women. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 224, 281–293 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341611