Relationship between Neuroleptic Dose and Positive and Negative Symptoms

Abstract

The present study explored possible connections between neuroleptic dose and the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. Zero-order correlations between medication dose as measured in CPZ equivalent units and standardized assessments of positive (hallucinations, delusions) and negative (blunted affect, poor rapport) symptoms were carried out on 28 hospitalized schizophrenics. While dose was positively related to over-all negative symptom scores as well as specific negative symptoms, no relation was found with positive scores. The discussion focused on the possibility that negative symptoms might represent medication-induced side effects and the need for further research.