Niacin skin flushing in schizophrenic and depressed patients and healthy controls

This study compares the skin reactions to the niacin flushing test of 16 schizophrenic patients with those of 17 depressed patients and 16 healthy controls. Methyl nicotinate (niacin) in a concentration of 0.1 M was applied to the forearm for 5 min. Significant differences could be observed between...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2006-08, Vol.143 (2), p.303-306
Main Authors: Bosveld-van Haandel, Linda, Knegtering, Rikus, Kluiter, Herman, van den Bosch, Robert J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Depression
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - physiopathology
Dermatology
Diagnosis, Differential
Fatty acids
Female
Flushing - diagnosis
Flushing - physiopathology
Flushing - psychology
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Mood disorders
Niacin
Phospholipases A - physiology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Reference Values
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - diagnosis
Schizophrenia - physiopathology
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
Skin Tests
Vascular disorders of the skin
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Summary:This study compares the skin reactions to the niacin flushing test of 16 schizophrenic patients with those of 17 depressed patients and 16 healthy controls. Methyl nicotinate (niacin) in a concentration of 0.1 M was applied to the forearm for 5 min. Significant differences could be observed between the group of schizophrenic patients (less flushing) in comparison to the other groups. There were no statistical differences in niacin flushing between patients with depression and healthy controls. Gender, age and the use of antipsychotic agents did not appear to be confounders. The differences in flushing within the group of schizophrenic patients were striking, however. Most patients showed little or no flushing, but some patients reacted strongly. Although the three groups could be differentiated by the niacin flushing test, to develop a reliable clinical application of this test, further research is necessary.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2005.10.010