Abstract
Clozapine is a novel antipsychotic agent effective in treating refractory schizophrenia. Clozapine produces fewer extrapyramidal effects than other neuroleptics, although agranulocytosis and seizures are significant adverse effects. To characterize the spectrum of clozapine-related electroenphalographic abnormalities, we identified 10 patients who had electroencephalograms (EEG) performed before and during clozapine treatment. These 10 patients represented a subset of individuals participating in an investigational trial. During clozapine treatment, five developed myoclonus and one experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Records were retrospectively reviewed by an electroencephalographer blinded to the patient's history and medications. All patients had normal EEGs before clozapine treatment. While receiving clozapine (250-900 mg daily), all patients developed background slowing in the theta and often delta ranges. Additionally, 7 patients exhibited bilateral spike, polyspike and slow wave discharges, one with a photoparoxysmal response. Follow-up EEGs performed in 4 of these 7 patients after a decrease in clozapine dosage and/or addition in valproic acid showed diminished epileptiform activity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 205-211 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Clozapine
- EEG
- Epileptiform abnormalities
- Myoclonus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- General Neuroscience