February 03, 2009

Changes in Heart Rhythms (QTC intervals) Associated With Antipsychotic Drug Treatment

Principal Investigator: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD

The purpose of this study was to look at the electrical activity of the heart for a 24-hour period with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and to determine whether monitoring the heart for a 24-hour period gave more useful information than monitoring it for a few seconds in a doctor's office. This study evaluated the risks of arrhythmia and sudden death associated with the antipsychotic drug thioridazine (Mellaril), risperidone (Risperdal) or quetiapine (Seroquel). It specifically looked at the presence of any T Wave abnormalities in the participants' ECGs. Publications are forthcoming