Regional glucose metabolism in schizophrenic patients before and during neuroleptic treatment

Determination of regional glucose metabolism has been considered to be a tool to elucidate the mechanisms of action of neuroleptics. D2-dopamine antagonists seem to increase glucose consumption in dopamine innervated areas. Studies in humans do not give results in complete accordance with animal findings. In patients neuroleptic compounds and dopamine agonists probably increase and decrease striatal metabolism respectively. Changes in metabolism, especially in the right hemisphere may be coupled with improvement of the patients. Future research must be based on protocols specially designed for the study of drug effects.