Nonstereotyped responding in positive schizotypy after a single dose of levodopa

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_035A3AD61FC6
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Nonstereotyped responding in positive schizotypy after a single dose of levodopa
Journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
Author(s)
Mohr C., Landis T., Sandor P.S., Fathi M., Brugger P.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2004
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
29
Number
9
Pages
1741-1751
Language
english
Notes
0893-133X (Print)
Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Abstract
Stereotyped behavior and left-sided orientation biases, associated with the dopamine (DA) system, were observed in populations of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We investigated whether heightened DA concentrations influence both side biases and stereotyped responding in a visuo-motor computer task, in which 90, 180, and 270 degrees rotated objects had to be brought into a target position. To account for the role of the schizophrenia spectrum, task performance was also analyzed as a function of healthy participants' high or low magical ideation (MI), a positive schizotypal feature. The first 36 participants (20 women) remained substance free. In a second sample, 20 men received levodopa and 20 men a placebo in a double-blind procedure. Results showed that high MI scorers responded more stereotyped than low MI scorers, without being specifically biased towards the left side. Rotation preferences toward one or the other side made high MI scorers less flexible for objects efficiently to be rotated into the opposite direction. This inflexibility may reflect impaired left hemisphere functioning. Unexpectedly, in the levodopa group, high MI scorers performed superior to low MI scorers. Since DA actions appear to follow an inverted U-shape function, the 'low' performing high MI scorers profited from the enhanced DA availability. Our observation in the levodopa group points to a dissociation between schizotypy and schizophrenia: while cognitive improvement in schizophrenia can occur after treatment with atypical neuroleptic agents, in our positive schizotypal participants a DA agonist resulted in improved task performance. This dissociation may point to protective neurochemical mechanisms preventing healthy schizotypes from developing full-blown psychotic symptoms.
Keywords
Adult Behavior/*drug effects Double-Blind Method Female Functional Laterality/physiology Humans Imagination/drug effects Levodopa/*pharmacology Magic/psychology Male Psychomotor Performance/physiology Rotation *Schizophrenic Psychology Stereotyped Behavior/*drug effects
Open Access
Yes
Create date
17/01/2011 19:07
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:25
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