Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow and Mental State after Amphetamine Challenge in Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

Changes in regional cerebral blood flow and behavioral and physiological indices were monitored after intravenous administration of d-amphetamine sulfate and placebo in groups of patients with schizophrenia and normal volunteers. Amphetamine administration was associated with decreased anxiety, emotional withdrawal, depressed mood, blunted affect and increased excitement in the patients. Subjects who received amphetamine showed significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reduction in end-tidal carbon dioxide. Post-amphetamine cerebral blood flow was decreased equally in both patients and controls. The blood flow change, however, did not show any regional variations.