Three neuroleptics were used to treat phencyclidine (PCP) psychosis. These included chlorpromazine, a DA-1 and DA-2 dopamine antagonist with noradrenergic effects; haloperidol, a predominantly DA-2 antagonist with noradrenergic effects; and pimozide a predominantly DA-2 antagonist with no noradrenergic activity. Three cohorts of randomly selected young white adult males were studied. Responses to haloperidol and pimozide were statistically equivalent and both were significantly superior to chlorpromazine. These results further support the role of the DA-2 receptor in PCP psychosis and tend to rule out a noradrenergic role. The authors therefore suggest that DA-2 blockers, such as haloperidol or pimozide be employed as treatment of choice in PCP psychosis.

The ability to interpret nonverbal facial cues was tested with 20 depressed males prior to treatment. Each subject and matched control was asked to interpret videotaped facial cues of individuals engaged in a gambling task. Interpretive ability was significantly lower for the nontreated depressed white men than for their matched controls.

When the authors compared the antimanic effects of verapamil, lithium carbonate, and placebo, no differences were seen between lithium and verapamil and both were more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms. No major side effects emerged during the study.

The ability to interpret nonverbal facial cues was tested in 21 young male, primary alcoholics and a group of matched controls. All Ss were asked to view videotapes of individuals gambling and to determine only on the basis of facial cues the amount of monetary reward offered to videotaped individuals during a specific trial. On the basis of accuracy, the alcoholic group was determined to be significantly better than the control group at receiving the nonverbal cues.