ACUTE D-AMPHETAMINE CHALLENGE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - EFFECTS ON CEREBRAL GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION AND CLINICAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY

The effects of d-amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg orally) on regional cerebral g lucose utilization were measured with positron emission tomography (PE T) in 17 schizophrenics (along with a placebo-control group of an addi tional six schizophrenic patients). The acute d-amphetamine challenge tended to decrease glucose utilization throughout much of the brain, w ith a regional effect that was statistically significant in the left t emporal cortex. There was no apparent relationship between the effects of amphetamine-induced changes in regional cerebral metabolism and ps ychotic symptom exacerbation. An exploratory analysis suggested that f eatures characteristic of Crow's type II syndrome were significant pre dictors of cerebral hyporesponsivity to stimulant challenge, however.