Abstract
Recent investigation in schizophrenia indicated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels to be inversely correlated with extrapyramidal symptomatology (EPS). This study thus investigates the effect of DHEA administration on medication-induced EPS. Inpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized in double-blind fashion to receive either 100 mg DHEA or placebo in addition to a constant dosage of antipsychotic medication. Parkinsonism showed a favorable effect of DHEA with a significant time effect ( p < 0.0001), as well as a significant group by time interaction ( p < 0.05) and with no change noted on akathisia. Change of DHEA blood levels was negatively associated with change of Parkinsonism ( p < 0.05) as well as with change of total EPS ratings ( p < 0.05). DHEA appears to demonstrate a significant effect on EPS, with improvement observed particularly in Parkinsonian symptoms.
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