Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms
Published on: March 3, 2021
Chronic treatment with antipsychotics enhances intraoperative core hypothermia
Akira Kudoh1, Hajime Takase, Tomoko Takazawa
1Department of Anesthesiology, Hirosaki National Hospital, Hirosaki, Japan.
Unlabelled:
Antipsychotics can induce hypothermia, but intraoperative temperature regulation in schizophrenic patients taking antipsychotics remains unclear. We investigated intraoperative temperature regulation and postoperative shivering in chronic schizophrenic patients receiving antipsychotics. We studied 30 schizophrenic patients and 30 control patients who underwent orthopedic surgery. Tympanic membrane temperatures (35.7 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, 35.6 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, 35.6 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C, 35.5 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C, 35.4 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, and 35.4 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C) 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min, respectively, after induction in schizophrenic patients were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than those (36.5 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, 36.4 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, 36.3 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C, 36.2 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C, 36.2 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C, and 36.1 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C) in control patients. Mean skin temperatures (31.1 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C [P = 0.008], 31.1 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C [P = 0.007], and 31.1 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees C [P = 0.006]) 60, 75, and 90 min, respectively, after induction in schizophrenic patients were significantly lower than those (31.5 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C, 31.5 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C, and 31.5 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C) in control patients. Four of 30 schizophrenic patients and 7 of 30 control patients developed postanesthesia shivering. There were no significant differences within 1 h after tracheal extubation in tympanic membrane temperatures between patients who shivered and those who did not shiver. In conclusion, chronic schizophrenic patients were more hypothermic during anesthesia. The incidence of postanesthesia shivering was not significantly increased.
Implications:
Antipsychotics inhibit autonomic thermoregulation. This is caused by decreased heat production, increased heat loss, and impaired central action at the hypothalamus. Thus, schizophrenic patients receiving antipsychotics may have impaired intraoperative temperature regulation.
Related Concept Videos
Decreased Body Temperature
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...

