Pharmacopsychiatry 2004; 37(6): 304-305
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832690
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

EEG Abnormalities Under Treatment with Atypical Antipsychotics: Effects of Olanzapine and Amisulpride as Compared to Haloperidol

O. Pogarell1 , G. Juckel1 , C. Mulert1 , B. Amann1 , H.-J. Möller1 , U. Hegerl1
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 15.8.2003 Revised: 25.2.2004

Accepted: 25.2.2004

Publication Date:
19 November 2004 (online)

Abnormal EEG patterns are well known electrophysiological effects of treatment with antipsychotic drugs. To estimate the risk of EEG alterations including epileptiform activity under recently developed antipsychotics, we have analysed EEG recordings of all inpatients with schizophrenia medicated with atypical antipsychotics olanzapine or amisulpride in monotherapy, in comparison to a control group under haloperidol within a two-year period.

EEG effects of olanzapine (n = 45) and amisulpride (n = 25) were retrospectively investigated and compared with the effects of haloperidol (n = 20) using digital EEG recordings, visually assessed by two independent investigators.

Patients under olanzapine and amisulpride showed significantly higher rates of EEG abnormalities (46.7 and 44 %) as compared to haloperidol (10 %) (p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively) and abnormal EEGs were associated with higher doses of medication. Epileptiform discharges were seen under olanzapine (15 %), and amisulpride (4 %), but not under haloperidol (statistical trend, p = 0.07).

EEG abnormalities are frequent, and dose-dependent findings under treatment with olanzapine and amisulpride, and the occurrence of epileptiform activity has to be taken into account.

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Oliver Pogarell, M.D.

Department of Psychiatry

Section of Clinical Neurophysiology

Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich

Nussbaumstr. 7

80336 Munich

Germany

Phone: +49 89 5160 3409

Fax: +49 89 5160 5542

Email: oliver.pogarell@med.uni-muenchen.de