title: Drug withdrawal in chronic schizophrenic patients: in search of neuroleptic-induced supersensitivity psychosis.
abstract: As a test of the hypothesis that neuroleptics can induce a psychosis secondary to dopamine receptor supersensitivity, we examined the behavioral ratings of 20 symptomatic chronic schizophrenic patients who were withdrawn from neuroleptic drugs and maintained drug free for 4 wk. We hypothesized that, if supersensitivity existed, it might be reflected in a drug-free course characterized by an initial phase of exacerbation followed by improvement (a "hump"). Four patients had such a course. No patient had the inverse of this hypothesized course (improvement followed by relapse). The implications of this finding and problems inherent in testing the supersensitivity psychosis hypothesis are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents