Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Acute Schizophrenia

Electrodermal nonresponding, premorbid adjustment, and symptomatology as predictors of long-term social functioning in schizophrenics.

“…At first glance, the present results may appear contrary to those reported by Frith’s (Frith, et al, 1979) and Zahn’s (Zahn, et al, 1981) groups, both of which clearly suggested a poor prognosis for electrodermally hyperactive patients. However, from the perspective of contemporary orienting-response theory (e.g., Öhman, 1979), the conflict between these two sets of data may be more apparent than real.…”

Patterns of recovery of autonomic dysfunctions and neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenics after acute psychotic episodes.

“…Regarding baseline heart rate (the arousal parameter, which was elevated above normal control levels immediately after psychotic episodes), the schizophrenic patients showed significant decreases during follow-up. This finding of normalization is consistent with those reports reviewed earlier (Dawson, Nuechterlein, Schell, & Mintz, 1992; Zahn et al, 1981b). Zahn et al also observed autonomic improvement mainly for the heart rate variable.…”

Electrodermal activity as a predictor of social functioning in female schizophrenics.

“…The schizophrenic women with a poor social outcome showed higher tonic activity levels of electrodermal activity than both the controls and those with a good outcome. In accordance with the present study, Frith et al (1979) and Zahn et al (1981) have reported an association between high electrodermal levels and poor short-term outcome. Frith et al had few nonresponders (< 10%) and about equal proportions of men and women in their sample, whereas in Zahn et al's study 65% of the patient sample were women.…”