Treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia with neuroleptics

Different concepts of negative symptoms in schizophrenia are reviewed. The beneficial effects of neuroleptics are discussed. The results of a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study with Amisulpride in healthy volunteers are reported. Preliminary findings of a study with Amisulpride in schizophrenic patients with predominately negative symptoms are presented. The utility of various rating scales for documenting the clinical state of these patients during therapy, and correlations of negative symptoms with psychometric and psychophysiological data are discussed. Finally, therapeutic consequences suggested by different hypothesized etiological factors causing negative symptoms are considered.