Plasma androgens in male schizophrenics.

Peripheral plasma androgen levels have been studied in control subjects, acute, chronic institutionalized, and chronic noninstitutionalized schizophrenic patients. The androgens determined included testosterone, dehydroandrosterone, and androstenedione. The schizophrenic groups did not show any significant difference from controls for plasma levels of testosterone and androstenedione. Both chronic schizophrenic groups have a significantly lower level of dehydroandrosterone. This change appears to be independent of age and institutionalization variables. Dehydroandrosterone is derived principally from the adrenal cortex and this suggests the possibility of reduced adrenal cortical functioning in chronic schizophrenia.