Comparative analysis of EEG in patients with schizophrenia receiving various atypical antipsychotics

Aim. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of EEG recordings of schizophrenia patients receiving atypical antipsychotics as monotherapy. Materials and methods. We examined 94 patients with schizophrenia aged 33 [28; 401 years with a disease duration of 10 [4; 151 years. The patients were divided into 5 groups depending on the antipsychotic drugs they took: 1) risperidone - 31 patients; 2) quetiapine - 20 patients; 3) aripiprazole - 11 patients; 4) olanzapine - 13 patients; 5) clozapine - 19 patients. EEG was recorded during wakefulness with closed eyes (background test), 3-minute hyperventilation, and rhythmic photostimulation in all patients. To describe and interpret the received recordings, the EEG classification according to J. Micoulaud - Franchi et al. was used. Results. EEG modifications (score > 1A) were observed in 61.7% (n n = 58) of patients. In the group of patients receiving risperidone, EEG modifications were found in 48.4% of cases, in patients taking quetiapine - in 70% of cases, aripiprazole - in 63.6% of cases, olanzapine - in 61.5% of cases, clozapine - in 73.7% of cases. The frequency of epileptiform patterns in patients receiving olanzapine was significantly higher than in those taking risperidone (p p = 0.033) and clozapine (p p = 0.032). Slowing in the EEG (score > 1) was more often observed in patients taking clozapine - 63.2% (n n = 12), olanzapine - 61.5% (n n = 8), and quetiapine - 60% (n n = 12). Slower EEG waves were less common in patients receiving aripiprazole - 45.5% (n n = 5) and risperidone - 45.2% (n n = 14). In the group of patients with EEG slowing (score > 1), the dose of chlorpromazine equivalent was significantly greater compared to patients with normal EEG (p p = 0.00046). Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrate changes in EEG parameters during monotherapy with atypical antipsychotics and indicate their dose-dependent effect on the bioelectrical activity of the brain.