Lateralized neuroleptic-induced side effects are associated with asymmetric visual evoked potentials

Psychiatry Res. 1987 Dec;22(4):311-8. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(87)90110-7.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that neuroleptic drugs may have an asymmetric effect on the two cerebral hemispheres. This effect is reflected by emergence of drug-induced lateralized extrapyramidal side effects and by dose-related alterations in electrophysiological asymmetries. The present study examined the hypothesis that asymmetry of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) is associated with lateralized appearance of neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism or tardive dyskinesia (TD). The asymmetry of the amplitudes of later VEP components was significantly higher in patients with lateralized side effects (n = 8) than in patients with symmetrical side effects (n = 6) or free of extrapyramidal side effects (n = 11). The possibility that VEP asymmetry reflects the differential degree to which the two hemispheres are affected by medication is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects*
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents