Amphetamine and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1996 Jan;123(2):211-4. doi: 10.1007/BF02246180.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess further the effect of amphetamine on negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Thirty-seven schizophrenic males meeting DSM-III criteria were rated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Abrams and Taylor Scale, and the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale before and after double-blind administration of either amphetamine (n = 26) or placebo (n = 11). Our results indicated that amphetamine administration generally did not improve negative symptoms, even when accounting for changes in positive symptoms. However, greater baseline negative symptoms were associated with a modest diminution after amphetamine treatment. Therefore, amphetamine may modestly improve negative symptoms in those schizophrenics in whom this symptomatology is more severe.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphetamine / therapeutic use*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Amphetamine