Medicated chronic schizophrenic patients do not demonstrate left turning asymmetry.

Twenty-seven medicated chronic schizophrenic female patients were tested for right or left turning behavior. No substantial right or left asymmetry was found, nor did the addition of the indirect dopaminergic agonist amantadine influence these results. Previous studies demonstrated left circling preference in chronic unmedicated schizophrenics and it seems that this previous finding is abolished by neuroleptic treatment. However, our patients were all females and further research with a heterogenous group of schizophrenic patients is needed.