Computerized EEG topography findings in schizophrenic patients before and after haloperidol treatment

An increase of delta and fast beta activity in schizophrenic patients when compared with normal controls has been consistently reported. Topography of these abnormalities, in particular a possible frontal localization of delta, and their relationship to drug treatment and clinical status are still debated. In order to assess these issues, a multilead CEEG investigation was carried out in a group of 20 DSM-III-R schizophrenics, both before and after haloperidol treatment. All findings are described in terms of amplitude and relative power. Drug-free schizophrenics, when compared with a group of normal controls, showed a generalized increase of delta and fast beta, and a decrease of alpha 2 relative power. After acute treatment, patients showed a significant decrease of delta, and an increase of theta 2, beta 1, and beta 2. After 28 days of haloperidol treatment, similar changes were observed for delta, together with an increase of alpha 1, and a decrease of fast beta.