Differential Effects of Des-Tyrosine-γ-Endorphin on Clinical Symptoms and EEGs in Schizophrenia

The clinical prospects of des-tyrosine-γ-endorphin (DTγE) in schizophrenia ware examined. Six male inpatients with schizophrenia ware administered fixed doses of neuroleptics during this study. The EEG recording and BPRS scoring ware done before DTγE administration. One mg/day of DTγE and of placebo were given intramuscularly in a doubleblind, crossover design for 2 consecutive weeks, followed by 1 week of no drug treatment. The EEG recording and BPRS scoring ware carried out once weekly. There were no significant differences in either the total BPRS scores or the scores of individual items between DTγE and placebo. With DTγE treatment, the power values of frontal EEGs increased slightly in the α activity during the study. The EEG values of the occipital area decreased in terms of slow wave and α activities during the study. The power of the left temporal area decreased in terms of slow wave activity in the first week but decreased in term of fast β activity in the second and third weeks. The power of the right temporal area decreased in terms of whole bands in the first week but decreased in β activity in the second and third weeks. These results suggest that treatment with DTγE might not improve the overt symptoms of schizophrenics but might affect their EEGs in a delayed manner.

Neuropeptide

Des-tyrosine-endorphin

Schizophrenia

Clinical symptoms

Pharmaco-EEG