SUMMARYIn order to investigate whether genetic factors are involved in the response of schizophrenic patients to treatment with γ‐type endorphins, we typed 32 Dutch schizophrenic patients for the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DR antigens. The total patient group showed an increase of HLA‐Bw4 and HLA‐Cw1. A subgroup of 20 paranoid patients showed an increase of HLA‐Cw1 and a significant heterogeneity for theHLA‐Clocus. In 16 patients who responded moderately or markedly to treatment with γ‐type endorphins, an increase of HLA‐B15/Cw3 and a decrease of HLA‐B17 were found as compared to 16 patients with no or a slight response. Moreover, HLA‐B15 was particularly increased in those patients who responded markedly and remained free of psychotic symptoms for a period of at least 6 months after treatment with γ‐type endorphins (RR = 24.6,Puncorr.= 0.0015).Our results suggest that genetic factors coded for within the HLA region are associated with paranoid schizophrenia, and that HLA‐B15/Cw3 is associated with a marked and prolonged response to
展开▼
