Adverse effects of risperidone on eye movement activity: a comparison of risperidone and haloperidol in antipsychotic-naive schizophrenic patients.
Risperidone is a novel and clinically effective atypical antipsychotic medication with a unique biochemical profile. To contrast the neurophysiological effects of this new medication with those of a typical antipsychotic medication, we performed quantitative measurements of saccadic eye movements in a series of antipsychotic-naive schizophrenic patients treated with either risperidone or haloperidol. Patients were tested before and after 1 month of treatment, and a matched group of healthy subjects was tested twice over a similar time interval. Risperidone, but not haloperidol, was associated with prolonged latency and decreased peak velocity and accuracy of saccadic eye movements that was detectable 4 weeks after treatment initiation. The adverse effects of risperidone may be due to the lack of development of acute tolerance to its powerful serotonergic (5-HT2A) antagonism, which could be responsible for the disruption of brainstem physiology in regions controlling saccadic eye movements.
Sweeney
J A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
Bauer
K S
KS
Keshavan
M S
MS
Haas
G L
GL
Schooler
N R
NR
Kroboth
P D
PD
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012438:Saccades / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D018967:Risperidone