Schizophrenia and Homeostasis

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Schizophrenia: An Error in Homeostasis

by Craig Olson

Introduction

There has been a great deal of research on schizophrenia. Some of

it dates back to the time it was called " dementia praecox " . One

approach, used by Hoffer & Osmond, was to study drug-induced

intoxications. Many of these intoxications, including amphetamine

intoxication and mescaline intoxication, mimic schizophrenia. Hoffer

& Osmond postulated that an internal mescaline-like substance caused

schizophrenia. This was a brilliant theory, but there were skeptics.

In my opinion the skeptics were wrong.

Drug Side Effects

One of the most compelling arguements for the dopamine hypothesis

is the fact that the drug levodopa (L-dopa) produces schizophrenia-

like symptoms. It also can produce symptoms similar to the Tourette

syndrome (including tics). Since levodopa is the direct precursor of

dopamine, this suggests that a toxic metabolite of dopamine may

cause schizophrenia. This may also be true of the Tourette syndrome,

but that could involve a different metabolite.

A wide variety of drugs can produce schizophrenia-like symptoms,

unfortunately. PCP, ketamine, amphetamines, hallucinogens,

disulfiram, etc. are examples.

Metabolic Abnormalities

Metabolic errors can also cause schizophrenia-like symptoms. These

include porphyria, carbon monoxide poisoning, heavy metal poisoning,

homocystinuria, Wilson's disease, etc.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Linus Pauling was correct when he pointed out that nutritional

deficiencies can cause psychiatric symptoms. This has also been

pointed out by Dr. Abram Hoffer of Canada. But what does this mean?

Vitamin B12 deficiency and pellagra both have psychiatric symptoms.

Both vitamin B12 and niacin are involved in energy metabolism. This

would appear to suggest that schizophrenia is caused by a deficiency

of brain energy metabolism. Pauling thought that the deficiency was

localized to the brain.

Conclusions

The two main theories can be combined if one assumes that the

toxic amine causes the deficiency in brain energy metabolism, which

is probably true. More research along these lines is needed.

Craig Olson 30 Kinross Rd. #1, Brighton, Ma 02135