Evidence for inhibition of baroreflex vagal bradycardia in acute schizophrenia

Background: Changes of baroreflex sensitivity have not been investigated in schizophrenia, yet might be responsible for the decreased vagal activity described for the acute stage of the disease. Methods: 21 acute, un-medicated patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and 21 matched controls were investigated. Cardiovascular parameters obtained included heart rate variability, blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity as well as cardiac output and left ventricular work. All parameters investigated were analyzed using linear and non-linear techniques. Positive and negative symptoms we…