title: [Psychopathologic changes in chronic schizophrenic patients following withdrawal of neuroleptics: relation to therapeutic, neuroendocrine and computer tomography variables].
abstract: The following data were obtained from 36 male chronic schizophrenics (ICD 295.6) of 47 +/- 11 years of age, treated with neuroleptics for the last 16 +/- 6 years: Age, age at first manifestation of disease, duration and dosage scheme of neuroleptic therapy and number of electroconvulsive shock treatments. Blood samples were drawn both under neuroleptic treatment and after a 12-day withdrawal of neuroleptics, for determining cortisol, prolactin, beta-endorphin and noradrenaline. Psychopathology was assessed by standard criteria via BPRS. In 27 patients CT determination was carried out to determine the breadth of the third ventricle and the ventricular brain ratio. Withdrawal of neuroleptics resulted in a marked improvement, whereas 11 patients showed pronounced deterioration of their psychotic symptoms. In respect of the entire group there was a significant improvement of anergy, while disturbances of thinking were significantly enhanced. Serum levels of beta-endorphin and cortisol increased after neuroleptic withdrawal, whereas the levels of prolactin and of noradrenaline dropped. A considerable proportion of the patients showed a distinct extension of the ventricular system, but the CT variables correlated only slight with psychopathological parameters or their changes after neuroleptic withdrawal. The other variables, too, were without clinically relevant prognostic importance compared with the psychopathological changes after neuroleptic withdrawal. These variables were e.g. demography, psychopathology, therapy and neuroendocrinology.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackenheil
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bürke
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Müller-Spahn
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Münch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reinertshofer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Vanderheyden
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wissmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004723:Endorphins; D006728:Hormones; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine
vernacular_title: Psychopathologische Veränderungen bei chronisch schizophrenen Patienten nach Neuroleptikaentzug: Beziehungen zu therapeutischen, neuroendokrinen und computertomographischen Variablen.