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. 1993 Sep;46(9):861-4.
doi: 10.1136/jcp.46.9.861.

Increased pentane and carbon disulfide in the breath of patients with schizophrenia

M Phillips  1 , M Sabas, J Greenberg
Affiliations

Increased pentane and carbon disulfide in the breath of patients with schizophrenia

M Phillips et al. J Clin Pathol. 1993 Sep.

Erratum in

  • J Clin Pathol 1994 Sep;47(9):870

Abstract

Aims: To determine the concentrations of pentane (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and other volatile organic compounds in the breath of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Volatile organic compounds were assayed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) in 88 subjects--25 with acute schizophrenic psychosis, 26 with psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia, and 37 normal volunteers.

Results: The mean alveolar gradients of pentane and carbon disulfide (CS2) were significantly higher in the patients with schizophrenia than in the control groups.

Conclusions: Schizophrenia may be accompanied by accelerated lipid peroxidation in cell membranes, as well as increased manufacture of CS2, a known neurotoxin.

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