Objects : The purpose of this study was to compare the cerebral laterality of visual recognition between chronic schizophrenics and normal controls, and to investigate the effect on cerebral laterality in patients with chronic schizophrenia receiving clozapine. Methods : The visual-hemifield task performance was applied to eleven male chronic schizophrenics and eleven male normal controls. Stimuli were 12 one-letter Hangul words and 12 two-letter Hangul words. Using a computer program and a computer monitor, all subjects were tachistoscopically presented to the location，30 distant from fixation point in either of the right or left visual field for 150 msec. Each subject was instructed to respond by reading the words immediately upon the recognition of them. The procedure was automatically controlled by computer program. Sequence of presentation was randomized. The reaction time and the correct response rate were measured and analyzed. Results : The reaction time of unmedicated schizophrenics was found to be slower than normal controls. Both schizophrenics and normal controls showed faster reaction time and higher correct response rate in the left hemisphere than in the right hemisphere. After a 10- week clozapine treatment, schizophrenics showed significant improvement in reaction time. Otherwise, the effect of clozapine on cerebral laterality of visual recognition was not significant Conclusion : Clozapine improves visual recognition in chronic schizophrenics, but does not affect the cerebral laterality of visual recognition. These results suggest that chronic schizophrenia may not be a lateralized disorder.
서 론
연구대상 및 방법
결 과
고 찰
요 약
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