Supersensitive platelet glutamate receptors as a possible peripheral marker in schizophrenia

Hypoglutamatergic function is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine the platelet intracellular calcium response to glutamate using spectroflourometry in 15 schizophrenic patients and 15 matched control individuals as an index of platelet glutamate receptor sensitivity. Patients with schizophrenia had significantly lower baseline intracellular calcium levels than matched control individuals (P=0.03). The percentage response of the schizophrenic individuals to glutamate stimulation was significantly greater than control individuals (P