Related Experiment Videos
The effect of haloperidol on aldosterone secretion
M D Warner1, H Gillespie, S N Pavlou
1Department of Psychiatry, Baylor Medical School, Houston, Texas.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Intravenous haloperidol did not stimulate aldosterone secretion in humans, contrary to expectations based on animal studies. However, haloperidol did stimulate prolactin release, suggesting a dissociation between these hormonal responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Peripheral D2 receptor antagonists are known to stimulate aldosterone secretion.
- Previous studies indicated haloperidol stimulates aldosterone in rats and chlorpromazine in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a specific intravenous dose of haloperidol on aldosterone secretion in normal and schizophrenic subjects.
- To compare the aldosterone response to haloperidol between normal controls and schizophrenic patients.
Main Methods:
- Administration of intravenous haloperidol (0.02 mg/kg) to six normal controls and six schizophrenic subjects.
- Measurement of aldosterone and prolactin levels before and after haloperidol administration.
Main Results:
- Haloperidol did not significantly stimulate aldosterone secretion in either normal controls or schizophrenic subjects.
- Prolactin release was markedly stimulated in both groups, with no significant difference between groups.
Conclusions:
- The tested dose of intravenous haloperidol does not appear to stimulate aldosterone secretion in humans, despite its known effects on prolactin.
- The findings suggest a potential difference in the human response to haloperidol compared to rats or other antipsychotics like chlorpromazine regarding aldosterone secretion.