title: Stimulated lymphocytes in schizophrenia.
abstract: This study examines the effect of neuroleptic medication on the distribution of the reported atypical lymphocytes of schizophrenia. The predominant atypical type in schizophrenia was termed the P-type atypical lymphocyte to differentiate the cell from other types of peripheral lymphocytes. Such P cells showed stimulated features: clear cytoplasmic basophilia and an irregularly shaped nucleus with a leptochromatic structure and occasionally one or two nucleoli, but the cell size ranged from small to large. P cells were found in all 42 schizophrenic patients examined and ranged from 5% to 45% of lymphocytes. Patients receiving neuroleptic medication had a lower mean percentage of P cells (17.8%) compared with patients not receiving neuroleptic medication (28.7%). The findings indicate that neuroleptic medication in not likely to be inducing the P-cell reaction.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents