Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in schizophrenia remains stable with short-term quetiapine.
OBJECTIVE
To study the short-term effect of treatment with quetiapine on prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits of the startle reflex in schizophrenia patients.


METHODS
Using PPI, we studied a group of 21 schizophrenia patients and 16 controls. Seventeen of the patients were re-tested with PPI after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine.


RESULTS
At baseline, an almost significant decrease in PPI was found in the patients as compared to the controls. PPI measurements did not change in the patients after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine, despite their clinical improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that short-term quetiapine treatment may not modify PPI measures in schizophrenia patients.
Molina
V
V
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain. vmolina@usal.es
López
D E
DE
Villa
R
R
Pérez
J
J
Martín
C
C
Ballesteros
A
A
Cardoso
A
A
Sancho
C
C
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate