Increased blink rates in schizophrenics. Influences of neuroleptics and psychopathology.
During a standardized visuomotor task, eye blinking, a possible parameter of central dopaminergic activity, was studied in 18 previously medicated and eight drug-naive schizophrenic in-patients in the acute state and during remission. Whereas schizophrenics executed the visuomotor task with the same precision as age- and sex-matched normal control subjects did, the mean blink rate was increased in both schizophrenic groups. During neuroleptic treatment, the mean blink rate was reduced only in the group of drug-naive patients, but not in the previously neuroleptic treated schizophrenics. This varying blinking activity is discussed with respect to the development of neuroleptic tolerance and influence of psychopathology.
Mackert
A
A
Department of Psychiatry Free University of Berlin, F.R.G.
Flechtner
K M
KM
Woyth
C
C
Frick
K
K
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D002746:Chlorpromazine