Effects of haloperidol treatment on prolactin response to D-fenfluramine challenge in acute schizophrenia

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999 Jan;141(3):322-5. doi: 10.1007/s002130050840.

Abstract

We have previously described an association between higher serotonin (5-HT) responsivity, indexed by prolactin response to D-fenfluramine challenge, and poorer treatment response to haloperidol in non-medicated schizophrenics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of antidopaminergic treatment on the prolactin response in the repeated challenge test. D-Fenfluramine was administered to 22 young, acutely ill schizophrenics (11 females and 11 males) after 4 weeks of haloperidol treatment. Whereas neuroleptic administration significantly raised basal prolactin levels (P < 0.0001), subsequent D-fenfluramine challenge produced an additional significant increase (P < 0.001). Moreover, the magnitude of this increase was not different from the pretreatment response. Our results demonstrate that prolactin response to the challenge is mediated through the 5-HT system. An observed negative association between posttreatment prolactin response and therapeutic response to haloperidol did not reach statistical significance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fenfluramine*
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prolactin / blood*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / blood*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fenfluramine
  • Prolactin
  • Haloperidol