Effect of neuroleptic treatment on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and the results of the dexamethasone test

20 schizophrenic patients (14 men and 6 women), aged 18-50, were studied using the BPRS, Hamilton scale and dexamethasone test before and after treatment with neuroleptic drugs. In the BPRS global rating and positive and negative symptoms rating were analyzed separately. The neuroleptic treatment improved mostly positive symptoms and slightly less depressive symptoms. The smallest effect was exerted on the negative symptoms. The neuroleptic treatment significantly reduced all cortisol levels measured during the dexamethasone test (most the cortisol level measured 17 hours after dexamethasone). The dexamethasone test result normalization depends probably on the neuroleptic treatment -- it did not correlate closely with the clinical improvement.