The estimation of serum prolactin (Prl) and norepinephrine (NE) in chronic schizophrenics treated with neuroleptics for 5–25 years showed no elevated Prl levels in either men or women (4.9 ± 4.1 and 13.7 ± 12.1 ng/ml, respectively). No significant correlation to duration or dosage of neuroleptic treatment, psychopathological syndromes and occurrence of tardive dyskinesia or parkinsonian side effects could be seen. The development of tolerance of the tuberoinfundibular dopamine system is discussed. The NE levels were distinctly elevated in both sexes; in men up to 0.77 ± 0.4 and in women up to 0.90 ± 0.48 ng/ml. This elevationis induced rather by neuroleptic treatment than by external factors. A significant relationship between dosage or duration of anticholinergic treatment and the severity of tardive dyskinesia was found in men.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.