Wanted: a biochemical test for schizophrenia.

Recent discoveries and refinements in technique in the field of biochemistry have led to renewed interest in the idea that a test can be developed for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Studies directed toward that goal have included investigations of biological amines, carbohydrate metabolism, epinephrine metabolism, serotonin, taraxein and ceruloplasmin. No conclusive evidence of any biochemical abnormality in schizophrenia has been found. Although careful studies in adults have failed to confirm a theory that ceruloplasmin levels are abnormally high in schizophrenia, the surmise that it might be true in schizophrenic children was investigated, since constitutional factors seem to be very important in this condition. Thirty-four schizophrenic children and a control group of 13 "behavior problem" children were investigated. No difference was found between the two groups in serum content of copper, ceruloplasmin or ascorbic acid.