Abnormality of gangliosides in erythrocyte membranes of schizophrenic patients.

: The pattern of gangliosides in membranes of erythrocytes was examined in healthy donors, in acute schizophrenics without neuroleptic treatment and in alcohol-dependent patients. 7 different gangliosides could be detected. Healthy donors were characterized by the following ganglioside pattern: GX = 5.8%; GT1b = 6.7%; FucGD1b = 5.2%; GD1a = 12.6%, GD3 = 9.2%, SPG = 43.5%, and GM3 = 17.0%. In schizophrenic patients the GM3 and GD3 fractions were increased. No difference was found between the control group and the alcoholics.