Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in schizophrenia remains stable with short-term quetiapine

PurposeTo study the short-term effect of treatment with quetiapine on prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits of the startle reflex in schizophrenia patients.Subjects and methodsUsing PPI, we studied a group of 21 schizophrenia patients and 16 controls. Seventeen of the patients were re-tested with PPI after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine.ResultsAt baseline, an almost significant decrease in PPI was found in the patients as compared to the controls. PPI measurements did not change in the patients after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine, despite their clinical improvement.ConclusionOur results suggest that short-term quetiapine treatment may not modify PPI measures in schizophrenia patients.