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Behavioral effects of l-Dopa in schizophrenic patients

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Abstract

As part of an investigation of the possible role of dopaminergic mechanisms in some psychoses, the behavioral effects of administration of l-Dopa to schizophrenic patients was assessed. l-Dopa was administered in dosages of 3–6 g/day to 10 such patients who had been maintained off neuroleptic drugs for approximately a week. Behavioral worsening occurred in all 10 patients. Three showed non-specific stimulation while the remaining 7 showed a combination of both stimulation and worsening of pre-existent symptoms or the development of new symptomatology. The significance of these findings is discussed with regard to those of other investigators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, 10016, New York, New York

    B. Angrist, G. Sathananthan & S. Gershon

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  1. B. Angrist
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  2. G. Sathananthan
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  3. S. Gershon
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Additional information

This work was supported by USPHS Grant No. MH 04669.

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Angrist, B., Sathananthan, G. & Gershon, S. Behavioral effects of l-Dopa in schizophrenic patients. Psychopharmacologia 31, 1–12 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429294

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