ABSTRACT
The cholinergic-serotonergic (ACh-5HT), noradrenergic (NE), and dopaminergic (DA) systems are known to influence distal colon motility (DCM) in humans. DCM studies were performed according to previously established procedures in sigmoid and rectum, by means of two open-ended polyethylene catheters continuously perfused with saline solution at a rate of 9 ml/h. Evaluation of the activity of the different components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is obtained from the ability displayed by the various ANS drugs to provoke DCM changes. Hyperactivity of the NE system is diagnosed when clonidine and other NE antagonists but not DA and ACh antagonists are able to suppress DCM. The fact that schizophrenic’s experienced great improvement with clonidine, an inhibitor of NE releases, while schizoaffectives experienced total improvement with clonazepam, an inhibitor of DA release, reinforces the above postulated ANS imbalances amongst psychotic patients.
