Plasma Homovanillic Acid in Schizophrenia: Implications for Presynaptic Dopamine Dysfunction

The role of dopamine in schizophrenia has been a significant area of research. The measurement of the major dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in various body fluids, especially in blood plasma, is one of the primary methods to assess brain dopamine neuronal activity in schizophrenic patients.

Written by leading researchers in the field, Plasma Homovanillic Acid in Schizophrenia provides the most comprehensive and current collection of information on plasma HVA levels to be found anywhere. It provides a concise synthesis and critique of current data as well as interesting proposals for future research.

This book will be of great value to any serious student of the biology of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders involving abnormal levels of plasma HVA.

American Psychiatric Publishing

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

The role of dopamine in schizophrenia has been a significant area of research. The measurement of the major dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in various body fluids, especially in blood plasma, is one of the primary methods to assess brain dopamine neuronal activity in schizophrenic patients.

Written by leading researchers in the field, Plasma Homovanillic Acid in Schizophrenia provides the most comprehensive and current collection of information on plasma HVA levels to be found anywhere. It provides a concise synthesis and critique of current data as well as interesting proposals for future research.

This book will be of great value to any serious student of the biology of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders involving abnormal levels of plasma HVA.

Michael Easton

This book on plasma homovaniillic acid (HVA) research in schizophrenia is part of the Progress In Psychiatry Series, a collaboration between the American Psychiatric Association's Scientific Program Committee and the American Psychiatric Association Press. The book provides the most comprehensive and current collection of information on plasma HVA research, including a concise synthesis and critique of current data and proposals for future research. This is a highly specific and focused publication intended for individuals in this area of research. It will also be of interest to any researcher, clinician, or student curious about the biology of schizophrenia. The editor and contributors are experts in this field. The role of dopamine in schizophrenia has been a significant area of research. The measurement of major metabolite HVA is one of the primary methods of assessing brain dopamine neuronal activity, and this book is devoted to this highly specific but important area. In addition to presenting a large body of scientific data, it also attempts to shed light on its clinical relevance. The text is reasonably illustrated with helpful tables and charts. The references are extensive, relevant, and up-to-date. This may be the only text in which all of this information in this area is brought together under one cover.

Arnold J. Friedhoff, M.D., is Menas S. Gregory Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Millhauser Laboratories at the New York University School of Medicine in New York, New York.

Farooq Amin, M.D., is Associate Chief of Psychiatry for Research at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Director of Schizophrenia Research at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.