ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Adrenocortical function of chronic schizophrenics was investigated. The concentration of adrenal steroids (17-hydroxycorticosteroids) in the peripheral blood was determined at 8 am.; after the intravenous administration of various amounts of ACTH or of a pryogenic substance (Piromen); and after the subcutaneous injection of regular insulin. These drugs were employed to assess adrenocortical and pituitary-adrenocortical responsivity. Similar studies were made upon a comparable group of normal subjects. The adrenocortical and pituitary-adrenocortical reactivity of chronic schizophrenic and normal subjects were equivalent. There was no evidence of any impairment of adrenocortical physiology in the chronic schizophrenic patient.