Movement Disorder, Memory, Psychiatric Symptoms and Serum DHEA Levels in Schizophrenic and Schizoaffective Patients

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Abstract
Objective: Reports of low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or its sulphate (DHEA-S) in some schizophrenic patients and in some persons with poorer motoric and cognitive functioning led us to examine clinical correlates of serum DHEA and DHEA-S levels in schizophrenic patients. Method: Ratings of abnormal movements, memory and psychiatric symptoms in 17 medicated chronic schizophrenic or schizoaffective inpatients at a state hospital were correlated with serum DHEA and DHEA-S levels, and their ratios with serum cortisol. Results: Controlling for age, higher DHEA levels and/or higher DHEA/cortisol ratios were significantly correlated with lower symptom ratings on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, better performance on some measures of memory, and lower ratings of parkin-sonian symptoms. Conclusion: Relatively low DHEA levels or DHEA/cortisol ratios may identify a particularly impaired subgroup of medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia. Potential implications are discussed.