Clinical state and serum neuroleptic levels measured by radioreceptor assay in schizophrenia

Abstract

Serum neuroleptic levels were measured by radioreceptor assay in 30 schizophrenic patients receiving haloperidol, fluphenazine, chlorpromazine, molindone, thiothixene or trifluoperazine. Neuroleptic levels were significantly correlated with clinical state, monitored by an abbreviated version of the Present State Examination (the mini-PSE). Poor therapeutic responses were associated with serum levels under 50 ng/ml chlorpromazine equivalents. There was no correlation between neuroleptic dosage and mini-PSE score or between neuroleptic dose and serum neuroleptic levels.