REDUCTION OF AGGRESSIVENESS AND IMPULSIVENESS DURING CLOZAPINE TREATMENT IN CHRONIC NEUROLEPTIC-RESISTANT SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Aggressive and impulsive behavior is frequently observed in schizophre nic patients. Previous studies suggest that impulsive aggression may b e the most common behavioral correlate of central serotonergic system dysfunction. This study was aimed to determine if clozapine, an atypic al antipsychotic agent with potent serotonergic antagonistic propertie s, can reduce impulsiveness and aggression in neuroleptic-resistant ch ronic schizophrenic patients, Fourteen neuroleptic-resistant chronic s chizophrenic patients were treated with clozapine and prospectively ev aluated for aggressiveness and impulsiveness for 18 weeks. Clozapine t reatment induced a marked decrease in impulsiveness (32% on the impuls ivity Scale; p <0.0001) and aggressiveness (98% on the Overt Aggressio n Scale; p <0.0001). We conclude that clozapine treatment may be effec tive in reducing psychotic symptoms as well as in controlling aggressi ve and impulsive behavior in neuroleptic-resistant chronic schizophren ic patients.