Autonomic effects of dextroamphetamine in normal men: implications for hyperactivity and schizophrenia

This study test the effects on autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity of two doses (0.25 mg/kg and 0.50 mg/kg) of dextroamphetamine in normal men. Skin conductance and heart rate were recorded during rest, tone presentation, and a reaction time task. Compared to placebo, dextroamphetamine increased both skin conductance and heart rate indices of arousal, slowed habituation, and reduced ANS responsivity selectively to more important vs. less important stimuli. The last result differs from previous findings on hyperactive and normal boys. The pattern of ANS effects closely resembles findings on drug-free schizophrenics, suggesting that it may be a matter for biologic changes occurring in amphetamine psychosis and spontaneous psychotic episodes.