John R. Smythies

Harold E. Himwich

Seymour S. Kety

Amines and Schizophrenia is a collection of articles that survey and discuss the biochemical basis present, if any, in schizophrenia, focusing on the role of certain amines. The book discusses certain hypotheses dealing with the field of bio-chemistry as the basis for diseases such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, and related diseases. Discussions start with the properties of mescaline, because the psychotic effect of the drug has some aspects similar to that of a schizophrenic syndrome. One paper examines the presence of certain amines, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain, including their role in the synaptic transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system. Other papers review the role of derangements of tryptophan metabolism in psychotic behavior; the metabolic interrelationships of tryptophan and methionine in mental illness; and the results obtained with psychomimetic and non-psychomimetic congeners of three classes of indoleamines including LSD. The book gives more details on the actions of various biological amines on single neurons in the limbic system of the brain. The text also evaluates the use of hallucinogenic drugs in considering their heuristic value in the study of the biochemical basis of mental function. The selection will prove relevant for psychologists, psychiatrists, drug researchers, pharmacologists, and chemical laboratory workers and technicians.

Harold E. Himwich

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